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Post by cookie on Apr 26, 2009 8:49:36 GMT -5
Officer, 6e BPC, Dien Bien Phu Valley, 20-22 November 1953. Rifle Grenadier, 6e BPC, Dien Bien Phu Valley, 20-22 November 1953.  Birgadier General Jean Gilles, Dien Bien Phu Valley, 20-22 November 1953. Not related to my project but I couldn't resist... Lt. Paul Brunbrouck, Colonial Artillery, Dien Bien Phu, March 1954. 
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Apr 26, 2009 14:51:33 GMT -5
Cookie,
As always, **great photos** you just posted! I love the artillery officer's uniform!
/martini/
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Post by lt13demi on Apr 27, 2009 10:07:48 GMT -5
Great Pics Cookie!!!!! Man you look BETTER than Gen. Gilles!!!!! So trim and buff! You should play him in the next movie! ;D
The artillery officer's impression is great! So simple and spot on...... This should be a testament to show others just how easy an impression can be to put together and be dead to rights!
Renault
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lemaitre
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 53
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Post by lemaitre on Apr 27, 2009 13:16:42 GMT -5
Good job!  |
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Post by cookie on May 1, 2009 9:36:40 GMT -5
"Man you look BETTER than Gen. Gilles!!!!! So trim and buff!"
Give over man! (I'd have to poke my eye out first...)
Cheers for the kind words though gents. I have slaved away studying my books on DBP and have become obsessed with it. The photoshoot is going to be small scale but very accurate - and full of gear!!
I was very impressed with Lt Brunbrouck and his African gunners, it was a shame he didn't make it. As you say though, infantry/artillery impression is very easy to put together.
Merci mon amis
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Post by oggy on May 3, 2009 6:02:40 GMT -5
Didn't they receive Flak Jackets during a re-supply drop?
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Post by cookie on May 3, 2009 6:16:26 GMT -5
In the last week of March (28th) 1954 French and US 'CAT' transport pilots were issued with body armour, provided by the USA.
The first batch was delivered to Dien Bien Phu by the French Airforce on 27th April. They fell into the hands of the Viet Minh. Later that day a further 200 landed in the main camp and 100 on Isabelle. You are correct that they were issued to the Artillery gunners first and foremost - due to their exposed, open, gun pits. The rest were issued to the paras dug in on the Elians, 1RCP. They are estimated to have had 1 between every 2 men.
Funnily enough the French High Command only asked the US for them on 14th April. The yanks, in their usual style, delivered the order over 1,000's of miles in five days flat. The French, in their usual style, delivered them to the battle, over 200 miles, in eight days.
One point in favour of the French - Who else at that stage in history would have issued such an expensive and life saving piece of equipment to black colonial soldiers?
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Post by lt13demi on May 3, 2009 18:26:11 GMT -5
"One point in favour of the French - Who else at that stage in history would have issued such an expensive and life saving piece of equipment to black colonial soldiers? "
Touche, Cookie,,,,,, Touche!!!!!!!!!
Renault
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Post by oggy on May 3, 2009 18:28:24 GMT -5
Cheers Cookie - Osprey was some use after all!!! About the issue of the jackets to Colonial Troops - I reckon their Trade was the deciding factor - they had to keep their Arty protected, no matter what colour they were
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Post by cookie on May 4, 2009 14:29:33 GMT -5
Exactly, if it wasn't for those guys the whole position would have folded time and again, not least when they had to fire over open sights at a human wave.
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Post by oggy on May 4, 2009 16:05:07 GMT -5
Not the best of positions TBH - did they have Cannister for such an emergency?
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Post by lt13demi on May 4, 2009 21:37:49 GMT -5
I had heard (third hand, I add) that all they had for anti-personnel was HE rounds..... So I don't know for sure.....
Renault
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Post by oggy on May 5, 2009 14:02:39 GMT -5
I had heard (third hand, I add) that all they had for anti-personnel was HE rounds..... So I don't know for sure..... Renault yipe - not nice that |
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