The Battle of Dien Bien Phu: Strategic, Operational and Tactical Failure

Abstract : This strategy research project is a case-study examination of the battle of Dien Bien Phu during the French-Indochina War of 1946 to 1954. This battle was the decisive event of the war. The paper focuses on: French failure to craft a viable strategy for winning the war or this battle against their enemy, the Vietnamese communists or Viet Minh; French operational errors that helped ensure their defeat at Dien Bien Phu; and the most important tactical mistake that the French made fighting the battle. Studying the lessons learned from this battle and French failure at each level of war - strategic, operational, and tactical, will add to the professional understanding of future United States Army War College students and other interested military officers.