CONDITIONS AT DIEN BIEN PHU

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200190006-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 3, 1998
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: March 18, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved. For Release 2000/08/04 : 014438000200190006-5
NSC BRIEFING 18 March 1954
CONDITIONS AT DIEN BIEN PHU
I. Garrison on plain 25 mi. long and 4
wide, surrounded by high hills.
A. French, Foreign Legion, African,
Viet, and tribal troops.
B. Artillery in center positions.
C. Enemy targets obscured by haze.
II. Attacks come in suicidal waves.
A. Viet Minh bodies on barbed wire
obstruct line of fire.
B. Enemy troops act as living bombs.
C. Their morale high.
III. Viet Minh artillery deadly.
A. Both airstrips unusable.
B. French gun crews knocked out.
C. Firing shows thorough training.
D. Effective use of artillery
without prior experience suggests
possible presence Chinese.
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 Approved For Release 2000/08/04: 6NOWM '01443R000200190006-5
E. Enemy well informed on French
defenses.
IV. French admit losing 2 battalions.
A. Casualties await helicopter
evacuation: only one plane
in since Sunday.
V. Morale bad; artillery barrage some-
thing new and unnerving.
A. Tribal units proving unreliable.
VI. French can airdrop for 60 days with
chutes on hand.
A. Enemy has supplies for equal
period.
B. Enemy AA worrying French.
1. Eight planes destroyed,
mostly on ground.
2. Viet Minh may have about six
37mm pieces; rely mostly
on 12.7 machine guns.
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-F P80RO1443R000200190006-5
SECRET
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VII. Navarre says he'll hold at all costs.
A. His staff appalled at
devastating first phase.
B. Remaining paratroop bns.
(6) will be used if necessary.
C. Outcome is touch-and-go, per-
haps slight French advantage.
D. French must increase air
action, lift morale.
VIII. Hanoi consulate has evacuation plans
ready in unlikely case of emergency.
Approved For Release 2000/08/04: CIA-RWP80R01443R000200190006-5
SECRET