This battle was fought on a site of General Navarre's choosing, a crossroads town whose name means "Seat of the Border County Prefecture." The battle began as paratroopers led by General de Castries took the town in "Operation Castor" and created eight strongpoints around it. The attackers amassed artillery before initiating the battle, which, combined with human wave tactics, allowed them to overwhelm the outlying Beatrice and Gabrielle strongpoints in early March. By April 22, the airstrip was overrun and on May 7, 1954, General Giap and the Viet Minh destroyed the last hope for French victory in Vietnam. For 10 points, name this decisive battle of the First Indochina War.
This battle was fought on a site of General Navarre's choosing, a crossroads town whose name means "Seat of the Border County Prefecture." The battle began as paratroopers led by General de Castries took the town in "Operation Castor" and created eight strongpoints around it. The attackers amassed artillery before initiating the battle, which, combined with human wave tactics, allowed them to overwhelm the outlying Beatrice and Gabrielle strongpoints in early March. By April 22, the airstrip was overrun and on May 7, 1954, General Giap and the Viet Minh destroyed the last hope for French victory in Vietnam. For 10 points, name this decisive battle of the First Indochina War.
This battle was fought on a site of General Navarre's choosing, a crossroads town whose name means "Seat of the Border County Prefecture.
Battle of {Điện Biên Phủ}