Dien Bien Phu

70 years ago today,the French fortified position at Dien Bien Phu in Indochina,finally surrendered,after nearly two months under siege by the Vietnamese forces under command of the wily General Giap.

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Fukfacewillie · 56-60, M

Hats off to Giáp’s troops for hauling artillery piece-by-piece up all those mountains. Ike refused to help the French, but then the US eventually took their place supporting South Vietnam. Didn’t go so well…

wonkywinky · 51-55, M

@Fukfacewillie The US had just come out of Korea so i guess the mood for war was pretty negative.Two wars within 10 years of the end of WW2..

Bumbles · 51-55, M

@wonkywinky The US Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, knew the war was unwinnable, and probably LBJ. Nixon and Kissinger as well. 50,000 Americans and perhaps two million Vietnamese lost their lives as a result of their arrogance.