The French Army build a defensive positions around Dien Bien Phu, with blockhouse protected by barbed wire and trenches. The French Army raids into the surrounding countryside become more difficult as the Viet Minh move four infantry divisions and a heavy weapons division into the area. The French Army launch and offensive in Central Vietnam. A biography of General Cogny, the French Army commander in North Vietnam.
On November 20th 1953, the French Army drop parachute troops into the area of Dien Bien Phu. The French win control of the area after a battle with local Viet Minh forces. An airstrip is built and sup[plies flown in. The French garrison commander is Colonel De Castries, a biography of him. The Viet Minh pour troops into the hills surrounding the French base. General Giap orders two invasions into Laos.
Opposition to the war in France grows. General Henri Navarre is appointed as the new commander of the French Army in Indochina. He plans to expand both French forces and those of his Vietnamese allies. The French Army launch an operation along Highway Four near the border with China and another operation to defeat the Viet Minh 320th Division. General Navarre plans for a French military operation to occupy a valley in North Vietnam which contains Dien Bien Phu. A biography of General Navarre.
General Salan becomes the new commander of the French Army in Indochina, a biography of him. The French Army sends men to train the hill tribesmen to fight the Viet Minh. The French Army launches an offensive to the North West of Hanoi. General Giap orders his army to invade Laos but along the way suffers a repulse at Na Sam.