Dien Bien Phu

In 1954 the French were defeated by the Vietminh at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. As a result, they decided to withdraw from South East Asia, and talks were held in Geneva to establish the future of Vietnam. This meant that the USA could no longer rely on the French to halt the spread of Communism in SE Asia.

In 1954 the French suffered a humiliating defeat by the Vietminh at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The French had established a heavily fortified position with a ring of fortresses, supplied by an airstrip. They had assumed that the Vietminh would be unable to carry heavy artillery into the thick jungle on the surrounding hills, but they were wrong. The Vietminh shelled the air strip and overwhelmed the French soldiers. The French were totally defeated at Dien Bien Phu with over 10 000 casualties.

As a result, they decided to withdraw from SE Asia, and talks were held in Geneva to establish the future of Vietnam. This meant that the USA could no longer rely on the French to halt the spread of Communism in SE Asia.

In 1954 the French suffered a humiliating defeat by the Vietminh at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The French had established a heavily fortified position with a ring of fortresses, supplied by an airstrip. They had assumed that the Vietminh would be unable to carry heavy artillery into the thick jungle on the surrounding hills, but they were wrong. The Vietminh, under General Giap, amassed 50 000 troops and heavy artillery on the surrounding hills and besieged the French. The French were totally defeated at Dien Bien Phu, suffering over 10 000 casualties.

As a result, they decided to withdraw from SE Asia, and talks were held in Geneva to establish the future of Vietnam. This meant that the USA could no longer rely on the French to halt the spread of Communism in SE Asia.