Dien Bien Phu

On 16/3 1954, 6e BPC returned Dien Bien Phu valley, when they were parachuted in to reinforce the besieged outpost. By then Beatrice, Gabrielle and most of Anne-Marie was firmly in Viet Minhs hands. Commanded by Major Marcel "Bruno" Bigeard the 613 strong force started to operate in the area. On 21/3 6e BPC made a reconnaissance sortie along Route 41 and confirmed the extent and cohesion of Viet Minh build-up.
On 24/3 Lieutenant Colonel Langlais and his airborne commanders assumed tactical command over the entire Dien Bien Phu position from commander de Castries. They were referred to as "The paratrooper mafia". Major Bigeard was then chosen to command the counter-attack force. At the same time Captain Thomas was committed to command the 6e BPC which was from then primary used as a "fire-fighter-force" mainly used to counter-attack or re-take lost positions. Most of the last weeks they were stationed at Eliane defence position where the Viet Minh had focused their attacks.
Throughout the siege and final onslaught the soldiers of 6e BPC fought gallantry with determination in face of overwhelming odds. Only few survived the battle and even fewer would make it alive out from the communist captivity.

Here are photos from a successful mission that was carried out on 28/3-54. It was a major sortie by 6e BPC, 8e BPC and 1er BEP supported by artillery and air force fighters. It was planed and led by Bigeard to destroy Viet Minh positions west of Dien Bien Phu.

All members of the group are wearing the French Lizard uniform, predecessor to the later Tigerstripe. Also, every member of the group is armed with SMGs to provide heavy fire power at close ranges.

Most of the trees have been blown away by mortar- and artillery fire.

A squad NCO helps a soldier to climb over a verge. In the background an additional two soldiers advance. 

Soldiers advance over a stream and into hostile controlled ground.

Group scout looks for signs of enemy movement as the group progresses behind her.

Group NCO watches for enemy activity through his binoculars as another soldier covers him.

A soldier hits the ground as the group comes under enemy fire. He is armed with the German MP40 Sub Machine Gun.

A group of soldiers press themselves towards the ground as an enemy mortar starts to fire on the advancing French forces. The soldier in the middle is wearing a 3-cell grenade pouch. Grenades are ideal when clearing out enemy fortifications.

A NCO shouts orders to his troops storming the hill.

Paratroopers storm up the steep hillside with their guns at the ready.

Two soldiers fire their sub machine guns at the enemy positions while another lies in covers and reloads. The soldier to the far right has a shell dressing attached to his helmet in case of an injury.

The attack was one of few French tactical successes in the battle of Dien Bien Phu. The Viet Minh had 350 dead, 10 captured and hundreds of wounded and also lost 5 antiaircraft guns, 12 AA-Heavy Machine Guns, rocket launchers and a large quantity of small-arms. The French casualties were 20 dead and 90 wounded.