Strangulation: Hill 674 INDO (id:#61825)

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Hill 674, East of Gabrielle, Dien Bien Phu, Indochina 1954-02-17 (0 others)

Overview:

On 10 February 1954, LCOL Langlais' (initially the commander of all airborne troops at Dien Bien Phu; later the de facto commander of the entire Dien Bien Phu garrison) GAP 2, reinforced by a company from Algerian 5/7 RTA, the 3/13 Foreign Legion Battalion, a Foreign Legion flamethrower detachment, and troops from the 31st Engineering Battalion attempted to clear several hills to the northeast and east of the Dien Bien Phu strongpoints. Hill 674 was situated 1200 yards east of Gabrielle. The main purposes of this movement were to discover and destroy Communist artillery that had become a major problem and to alleviate the tightening noose around Strongpoint Béatrice. French progress was stopped on 10 February by excellently camouflaged bunkers and trenches. On 13 February, Lt. Col. Langlais' task force again attacked Hill 674; this time preceded by a carpet of bombs dropped by B-26s.

Defender: Viet Minh (308th Infantry Division and 45th Artillery Regiment, 351st Heavy Division)  

Errata (source)