May 1, 1954, the third offensive began.

The third attack of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign began from May 1, 1954 to May 7, 1954.

The mission of this phase was to capture the remaining high points in the East, focusing on capturing Hill A1, destroying some strongholds in the West, destroying a part of the enemy's strength, developing the offensive and siege positions further, using all firepower to bombard the enemy's central area, threatening their remaining airspace, and preparing to switch to a general attack.

On the enemy side: On May 1, 1954, enemy aircraft began using a new type of American bomb (Hail Leaflet) containing thousands of very small and sharp arrows, intended to cause mass casualties. This type of bomb was not dangerous to people in fortifications or trenches and was difficult to use in battles when our troops and the enemy were almost mixed together. Langlais and Bigeard adjusted and strengthened the defense organization in the central area.

Dien Bien Phu Campaign: May 1, 1954, began the third attack

French soldiers built a dense system of trenches to defend the strongholds in Dien Bien Phu. Photo: Getty Images

The best units and most trusted commanders remaining in the stronghold were reinforced in the Elian resistance center. Here they deployed the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Colonial Parachute Regiment, the 6th Assault Parachute Battalion, the 5th Puppet Parachute Battalion, the 1st Battalion of the 13th Foreign Legion Semi-Brigade, along with two independent companies, an engineering unit, and some Algerian and Thai soldiers. However, these units suffered heavy losses and were in a patchwork formation.

On our side: At 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 1954, all of our artillery caliber suddenly fired into many areas of the stronghold. This time the enemy artillery cluster in Hong Cum was restrained and paralyzed. An ammunition depot with 3,000 enemy reserve rounds exploded. Food and provisions were set on fire. The artillery barrage lasted nearly an hour. After the artillery fire stopped, units simultaneously attacked many positions.

Dien Bien Phu Campaign: May 1, 1954, began the third attack

Diagram of the battle at C1 base. Photo: VNA

In the East, the 98th Regiment attacked the C1 stronghold for the second time. The enemy still had its command post on C2 and sensed that the C1 battle was about to break out. On May 1, the enemy decided to send the 3rd Company of the 2nd Airborne Fighter Battalion to replace the depleted Clédic Company, and ordered the 1st Company to be ready to participate in the counterattack.

Our 811th Company had spent 20 days and nights defending at C1, and was ordered to leave the battlefield 200m to prepare for artillery fire. Company Commander Le Van Dy saw that the fortifications had been firmly reinforced, strong enough to withstand artillery fire, and believed in the accuracy of our artillery, so he decided to only order the reserve unit to retreat to the rear, while the entire unit remained on the battlefield so as not to miss the opportunity to charge.

Dien Bien Phu Campaign: May 1, 1954, began the third attack

Our troops charged to capture the enemy's last bunker at base C1. Photo: VNA

The high points we captured in the Eastern area were effective. The mountain artillery placed on D1 hill aimed at each firing point on C1 and fired very accurately. As soon as the artillery fire stopped, comrade Dy immediately ordered the opening of the fences separating us from the enemy, and sent troops to charge towards the Flagpole. Our artillery and grenades covered the enemy's position, and submachine guns exploded continuously. Soldier Thang, holding the flag, rushed forward 10 meters from the target and was hit by a bullet and died. Soldier An took a blanket to cover his comrade, picked up the blood-stained flag, riddled with bullet holes, and continued to advance to the highest promontory on the top of the hill. The entire spearhead squad followed him. After only 5 minutes, we captured the Flagpole. The newly replaced 3rd Airborne Fighter Company was stunned by the lightning-fast and fierce attack. The paratroopers fired heavily into the Flagpole area. Our 1480th Company from below arrived in time, together with 811th Company, forming two attack prongs to divide the enemy and destroy them.

Hand-to-hand fighting ensued. Lieutenant Leguère, commanding the 3rd Company, tried to resist, waiting for reinforcements. The enemy decided to send the 1st Company up as reinforcements. But it was too late. Lieutenant Périou, commanding the company, died as soon as he set foot on the hill. A short while later, Lieutenant Leguère, commanding the 3rd Company, was seriously wounded. The enemy troops at C1 gradually lost their fighting power. Some of them covered themselves with tarps and pretended to be dead, waiting for the guns to stop before surrendering. At midnight, the entire enemy force was annihilated. Barbed wire and mines taken from the enemy's positions were immediately spread on the hillside to form a dense obstacle course, to prevent the enemy from counterattacking.

After more than 30 days and nights of continuous fighting, the battle at C1 had now ended. C2 was under the barrel of our recoilless rifles. It was dawn, but there was no sign of enemy counterattacks. Only the four-barreled heavy machine guns at De Castries' command post were pouring fire towards our position on the hilltop as if to stop an attack.

On the east side of the Nam Rom River, Battalion 166 and Battalion 154 of Regiment 209 attacked strongholds 505 and 505A. A company of the 6th Airborne Legion Battalion and units of Algerian and Thai soldiers there, commanded by Battalion Commander Chenel, resisted fiercely. We and the enemy fought for each gun emplacement and each trench. At 2:00 a.m. on May 2, Regiment 209 completely destroyed these two strongholds, ending the existence of the Dominique resistance center.

Dien Bien Phu Campaign: May 1, 1954, began the third attack

Our troops captured French prisoners of war while attacking the enemy base in Dien Bien Phu. Photo: VNA

On the western field, the battle to destroy the 88th Regiment's 811A stronghold took place very quickly. The encroachment tactic continued to be used. With trenches dug through the stronghold's fence, our troops suddenly organized a charge. The entire Euro-African Company, which had just arrived to replace the troops to strengthen the defense of this stronghold, was completely destroyed in less than 80 minutes.

Thus, on the first night of the third attack, the enemy lost 4 more strongholds: C1, 505, 505A in the East and 311A in the West. At Hong Cum, the siege and encroachment of area C by Regiment 57 had exhausted many enemy troops, so on the morning of May 2, the enemy had to retreat from here.

The deep trenches of our troops in the western field were aimed straight at the De Castries Command Post. The stronghold had been forced into the last "square".

THANH VINH/qdnd.vn

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