May 1, 1954: Third attack of campaign commences

ABO/NDO- At 5:00 pm on May 1, 1954, Vietnamese soldiers' artillery bombarded many remaining areas of the enemy's strongholds.

As a result, the enemy's artillery cluster at Hong Cum was completely paralysed, an ammunition depot with 3,000 rounds was destroyed; and a food warehouse caught fire. The shelling lasted for nearly an hour, during which Vietnamese soldiers simultaneously attacked many positions.

On the eastern hills, Regiment 98 (Army 316) was quick to completely destroy stronghold C1 (Eliane 1), taking advantage of the victory to step up the encirclement and prepare to destroy C2 (Eliane 4). At the same time, they consolidated the newly captured battlefield to be ready to destroy enemy counterattacks.

Vietnamese soldiers' units attacking the enemy on hill A1. (Photo: VNA).

On the east bank of the Nam Rom River, Regiment 209 (Army 312) attacked bases 505 and 505A (Dominique 3), destroying a company of Algerian soldiers.

In the west, Regiment 88 (Army 308) completely destroyed a large legionary infantry, fully occupying base 311A (Huguette 5). In the south, Regiment 57 of the Army 304 destroyed some of the enemies in area C in the Hong Cum stronghold cluster.

* In the book 'Le Temps des Verites' (The Time of Truths) — an excerpt from General Navarre's memoir 'Agonies D’Indochina' translated by Nguyen Huy Cau, published by People's Public Security Publishing House - The Institute of Military History — it is written that: "On May 1, the enemy trenches came into direct contact with us. Their numbers were supplemented and there was also a full reserve force. Ammunition reserves are also sufficient. Facing them now, we only have tired units and are very short in numbers. Part of the artillery was destroyed, and ammunition was also very lacking.".

“The Vietnamese soldiers began a general attack. After a day of fighting, all around the Centre area were attacked. Our counterattacks only partially restored the situation".

“Faced with the choice of either seeing the fighting end quickly or holding it for a very few days by reinforcing my forces, at General Cogny's request, I decided on May 2 to drop into Dien Bien Phu the 5th parachute battalion under the 1st Colonial Parachute Battalion (1BPC), but because the parachute area was narrowed, only half of the battalion was allowed to jump".

(Source: NDO)