Route 41 CBI (id:#57155)

Critical Hit (Dien Bien Phu ID: DBP6)   [next]   [previous]

Dien Bien Phu, French Indochina 1953-12-05 (0 others)

Overview:

The mission of the French forces at Dien Bien Phu was not strictly defensive. indeed, the operational plans for the garrison called for half of its strength to be engaged in offensive operations at all times. On December 5th, the first company of the 1 BPC (First Colonial Parachute Battalion) was to do a simple security mission up Route 41. Not expecting any trouble so close to Dien Bien Phu, they moved along without any extraordinary patrol precautions. At 0945, the peaceful march was rudely interrupted by the enemy. As the company passed between two hills it came under mortar and small arms fire. . This is a nicely designed scenario, a classic ambush which starts well for the PAVN then gets harder as the French recover. Both sides get some pretty serious OBA, plenty of support weapons and enough troops.

Defender: French (1st Company, 1 BPC and reinforcing elements)  

Errata (source)