Close-up of the bunker in Dien Bien Phu, where General De Castries was captured 70 years ago
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 08:00 AM (GMT+7)
When visiting the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, tourists cannot miss the historic De Castries bunker, where General De Castries bitterly surrendered to the Vietnam People's Army.
Video: The bunker where General De Castries was captured 70 years ago.
On May 7, 1954, the "Determination to Fight - Determination to Win" flag of our army flew on the roof of the command bunker of General De Castries, signaling the complete victory of the Dien Bien Phu campaign. The end of 56 days and nights of steadfast, brave and creative fighting by our army and people created the Dien Bien Phu Victory "famous in five continents, shaking the earth".
The bunker was designed and built with the strongest materials at that time, capable of withstanding many types of firepower.
The roof of the tunnel is covered with arched steel plates, underneath are stacked sandbags.
Surrounded by trenches.
De Castries bunker is 20m long, 8m wide, and consists of four rooms. This is the working and resting place of General De Castries and the command of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold.
Because it was the headquarters, De Castries bunker was built with solid fortifications.
The bunker was also protected by all the most modern weapons and war vehicles at that time. In the photo is one of four French defensive tanks arranged around the bunker to provide maximum protection for the command center.
Currently, the structure and layout of the bunker remain intact. The photo shows the central resistance map of the Dien Bien Phu stronghold.
General De Castries' iron desk in the bunker.
At 5:30 p.m. on May 7, 1954, Mr. Ta Quoc Luat - Commander, Company 360, Regiment 209, Division 312 captured General De Castries alive at his desk in the command bunker. General De Castries and 20 officers surrendered unconditionally, and walked out of the bunker between two rows of guns of the Vietnamese army soldiers. Photo: National Archives Center III.
After 56 days and nights of resilient, courageous, and creative fighting, our army and people achieved the Dien Bien Phu victory that "resounded throughout the five continents and shook the world." This victory directly led to the signing of the Geneva Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina.
In the photo is the scene of General De Castries being led out of the bunker in the panorama of the Dien Bien Phu campaign at the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum.
De Castries Tunnel is a destination for many tourists these days.
Writing - Vinh Duy
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