Dien Bien Phu Campaign - 56 days and nights that shook earth
(BNP) - Exactly 70 years ago, on March 13, 1954, the Vietnamese revolutionary army launched the first attack against the French colonialists’ heavily fortified base of Dien Bien Phu, starting a 56-day historic campaign whose victory directly led to the signing of the Geneva Accords on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina. Over the past 70 years, that "illustrious 5 continents, earth-shattering” has its value for the cause of innovation, construction, and defense of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland in the period of development and integration.
On May 7, 1954, the entire group of enemy strongholds in Dien Bien Phu were destroyed by our troops, the flag "Determined to win and determined to win" was fluttering on the roof of De Cat tunnel. (Documentary photography).
Realising the plot and ruses of French colonialists, in early December 1953, the Politburo of the Worker's Party of Việt Nam (now the Communist Party of Việt Nam) decided to launch the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and adopted the combatant strategy of “fast attack, fast victory”. However, after considering the balance of power between the two sides, General Vo Nguyen Giapmade the most difficult decision of his career: Halting the attack and shifting the strategy from “fast attack, fast victory” to “steady attack, steady advance”.
The Party committees of military units convened meetings to provide detailed information about the new fighting strategy and encourage the entire troops to weather challenges to fulfill the new tasks.
With all-out wisdom, efforts, and determination of reserving all for the battlefield and for the victory, in the following nearly two months, the Vietnamese army continued applying the diversionary tactics while widening and lengthening the paths through the mountains and forests of Dien Bien Phu. Soldiers built stronger fortifications, dug deeper trenches, and moved closer to the French base. More food, weapons, and other supplies from the rear were delivered to the front to prepare for a long battle.
In his letter sent to soldiers on March 11, 1954, then President Ho Chi Minh said the duty was very difficult but also very glorious. He expressed his firm belief that the soldiers would bring into play the previous victory to overcome every difficulty and hardship to fulfill the coming glorious duty. Exactly at 5pm on March 13, 1953, the Vietnamese troops opened fire on the Him Lam fortification, starting the Dien Bien PhuCampaign. They annihilated this fortification and later the Doc Lap fortification and forced the Ban Keo fortification to surrender, thus destroying the northern gateway of the Dien Bien Phu base. More than 2,000 French soldiers were killed or taken prisoners, 25 aircraft destroyed, a regiment eradicated, and the Muong Thanh airfield threatened. In April 1954, the revolutionary army concurrently attacked fortifications, tightened the siege, and seized the control of Muong Thanh airfield, forcing the enemy into the passive status and extreme anxiety.
From May 1 to 7, 1954, the Vietnamese troops seized control over the fortifications in the east and waged a general offensive to decimate the entire military base of Dien Bien Phu.
At 5:30pm on May 7, 1954, the “Determined to fight, determined to win” flag of the Vietnamese army was raised on the top of the command tunnel of French general De Castries. By the midnight on the same day, all the French troops were captured.
During the 56 days of undaunted, brave, and creative fighting, the Vietnamese army and people created the Điện Biên Phủ Victory that “resounded across the five continents and shook the globe”. The entire so-called “invincible” military base of Dien Bien Phu was completely eradicated by the Vietnamese army and people.
The Dien Bien Phu victory became a thunderous sound that shook the world, tearing through the dark clouds of colonialism and imperialism, bringing great encouragement to oppressed peoples to stand up for independence. create. Three hours Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh – Dien Bien Phu resounded everywhere, becoming the pride and desire for freedom of progressive humanity, a symbol of unparalleled courage and a shining star of the national liberation movement, signaling the collapse of colonialism.
The 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory is an important political event that arouses national pride and strengthens the education of revolutionary traditions for officials, party members, and people, especially the younger generation; encourages ethnic people of Dien Bien and Northwest provinces; honors and pays tribute to people who have contributed to the revolution, including compatriots and soldiers who have contributed their efforts and blood to build and protect the Fatherland, thereby, contributing to building and developing Dien Bien to become more and more prosperous.
