Photo: Simple tools contributed to the Dien Bien Phu victory

Despite their rudimentary equipment, the frontline labor force made a very important contribution to the world-shaking victory at Dien Bien Phu on May 7, 1954.

The frontline militia used bicycles to transport food to the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, 1954. Despite their rudimentary equipment, this force made a very important contribution to the world-shaking victory of the Viet Minh. Photo: Getty Images.

During the Dien Bien Phu campaign , tens of thousands of laborers transported enough food, provisions, guns, ammunition, and medicine to the large battlefield, 500-600 km away from the rear, for a long time, with difficult travel conditions, a lack of means, and frequent enemy attacks.

In carrying goods by bicycle, there was a competition to increase the carrying capacity from 166 kg to 215 kg and then 250 kg. General Vo Nguyen Giap commented: "On the Dien Bien Phu front, the issue of ensuring food and ammunition supply was an extremely important factor, no less important than tactical issues...".

The porters carried goods across the pontoon bridge. During the entire campaign, in addition to the motorized vehicle force, we mobilized 261,451 porters, 20,991 bicycles, 736 rudimentary vehicles, 914 pack horses, and 3,230 boats to transport a huge amount of material to serve the battlefield.

Soldiers and laborers opened roads to serve the campaign. With the spirit of “All for the front, all for victory”, laborers did everything to serve the campaign’s requirements such as: opening roads, building warehouses, transporting food, ammunition, medicine, and transporting wounded...

Kienthuc.net.vn