 By this time de Gaulle had been informed of the situation in Indochina and then swiftly told Sabattier via radio orders to maintain a presence in Indochina for the sake of France's pride at all costs.By May 6 however many of the remaining members of the Tonkin Division were over the Chinese border where they were interned under harsh conditions.Between March 9 and May 2 the Tonkin division had suffered heavily; many had died or were invalided by disease.