Diên Biên Phu 3 - Gabrielle Overrun - Campaign Series Vietnam 1948-1967
1 - 0 - 0
| Rating: | 0 (0) |
| Games Played: | 1 |
| SM: | 4 |
| Turns: | 20 |
| Type: | Stock |
| First Side: | France |
| Second Side: | N. Vietnam |
David Galster
14 March 1954
[Diên Biên Phu, Indochina]:
[SIDE B / H2H] [HIS] [CSL]:
The Gabrielle strongpoint was the second Viet Minh objective, after capturing Beatrice, in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
On 14 March 1954, the Algerian defenders nervously went about their routines, knowing an attack was coming. They had high espirit de corps, however. The 5/7 RTA Battalion was awarded "best strongpoint," for their construction of Gabrielle, with two defensive lines, and mortars well dug in, and registered on likely targets. Major Rd'M set aside a special bottle of champagne to drink after ". . . the Viets are clobbered."
But, the Viet Minh was busy moving artillery from previous positions around Beatrice, to focus direct fire on the northernmost strongpoint, they called "Doc Lap."
Heavy rain caused delays, however, and the bombardment did not start before dark. The 88th and 102nd Infantry Regiments of the "Quan Tien Phong" (Vanguard) Division moved into position.
At 1800, just after dark on 14 March, Viet Minh artillery opened fire. As 75mm and 105mm howitzers and 120mm mortars got into position, the bombardment gradually increased.
By 2000, the 4th Company heavy weapons bunkers collapsed, and by 2200, the company command post was destroyed. Gabrielle's bunkers were stoutly built, but few fortifications could withstand the amount fire deployed.
Slowly, Viet Minh infiltrated the Algerian 4th Company position on Gabrielle's northeast corner. At midnight, Major Rd'M and his successor, Major K decided to counterattack to recover the 4th Company redoubt.
A Thai mountain platoon of the 416th CSM fought its way forward, and closed the breach. Meanwhile, the French 105mm and 155mm artillery fire devastated Viet Minh attackers all around the strongpoint.
At 0230 15 March, Viet Minh shelling paused. The infantry attack stopped as well. Gabrielle had already lasted longer than Beatrice, and it seemed to the French they might prevail.
But at 0330, the barrage resumed, with additional batteries firing from the northeast. All out Viet Minh assaults restarted as well.
At 0430 the 5/7 RTA battalion command post was hit and both Major Rd'M and Major K were wounded, leaving Gabrielle leaderless. Heavy mortars of the 2nd Foreign Legion Mixed Company were now disabled.
Colonel CdC and LtCol PL organized a "Force d'Intervention" composed 5th Vietnamese Parachute battalion, the 3rd and 4th Foreign Legion companies of 1BEP, and two Chaffee tank platoons of the 3/1 RCC squadron. These would finally depart the airstrip and head north at 0600. They encountered a block on the Pavie track at Ban Ke Pha, and when daylight broke, they faced intense artillery fire and a Viet Minh battalion.
At 0730, the French situation was hopeless. Remnants of the 2nd and 3rd companies were able to escape, and join the relief forces as they retreated south to the main French defense complex.
[ALL: NO ECAS: NO VV] [CSEE] [1.00]
14 March 1954
[Diên Biên Phu, Indochina]:
[SIDE B / H2H] [HIS] [CSL]:
The Gabrielle strongpoint was the second Viet Minh objective, after capturing Beatrice, in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign.
On 14 March 1954, the Algerian defenders nervously went about their routines, knowing an attack was coming. They had high espirit de corps, however. The 5/7 RTA Battalion was awarded "best strongpoint," for their construction of Gabrielle, with two defensive lines, and mortars well dug in, and registered on likely targets. Major Rd'M set aside a special bottle of champagne to drink after ". . . the Viets are clobbered."
But, the Viet Minh was busy moving artillery from previous positions around Beatrice, to focus direct fire on the northernmost strongpoint, they called "Doc Lap."
Heavy rain caused delays, however, and the bombardment did not start before dark. The 88th and 102nd Infantry Regiments of the "Quan Tien Phong" (Vanguard) Division moved into position.
At 1800, just after dark on 14 March, Viet Minh artillery opened fire. As 75mm and 105mm howitzers and 120mm mortars got into position, the bombardment gradually increased.
By 2000, the 4th Company heavy weapons bunkers collapsed, and by 2200, the company command post was destroyed. Gabrielle's bunkers were stoutly built, but few fortifications could withstand the amount fire deployed.
Slowly, Viet Minh infiltrated the Algerian 4th Company position on Gabrielle's northeast corner. At midnight, Major Rd'M and his successor, Major K decided to counterattack to recover the 4th Company redoubt.
A Thai mountain platoon of the 416th CSM fought its way forward, and closed the breach. Meanwhile, the French 105mm and 155mm artillery fire devastated Viet Minh attackers all around the strongpoint.
At 0230 15 March, Viet Minh shelling paused. The infantry attack stopped as well. Gabrielle had already lasted longer than Beatrice, and it seemed to the French they might prevail.
But at 0330, the barrage resumed, with additional batteries firing from the northeast. All out Viet Minh assaults restarted as well.
At 0430 the 5/7 RTA battalion command post was hit and both Major Rd'M and Major K were wounded, leaving Gabrielle leaderless. Heavy mortars of the 2nd Foreign Legion Mixed Company were now disabled.
Colonel CdC and LtCol PL organized a "Force d'Intervention" composed 5th Vietnamese Parachute battalion, the 3rd and 4th Foreign Legion companies of 1BEP, and two Chaffee tank platoons of the 3/1 RCC squadron. These would finally depart the airstrip and head north at 0600. They encountered a block on the Pavie track at Ban Ke Pha, and when daylight broke, they faced intense artillery fire and a Viet Minh battalion.
At 0730, the French situation was hopeless. Remnants of the 2nd and 3rd companies were able to escape, and join the relief forces as they retreated south to the main French defense complex.
[ALL: NO ECAS: NO VV] [CSEE] [1.00]
| Gaming Records | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Side Player | 2nd Side Player | Result | Score | ||||||
|
 |
Outlaw Josey Wales | vs. | vendetta |  |
|
France Major Victory | 48 | 8 |
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