[SandRat]

During the French Indo-China War when France was the controlling Colonial Power of what later would become Vietnam they were battling the Viet-Minh under Ho-Chi Minh. The Commanding General was General Nuygen Giap. They managed to trap the French Foreign Legion in a valley bowl at a place called Dien Phen Bu. The Viet Minh manually hauled artillery up to the bowl lip to rain death and destruction on the hapless Legionaries. The French government pleaded with the only nation capable of doing the massive resupply drop to the Legionaries to stage a breakout. One Sen from Texas, later to become President and hung with the albatross of the Vietnam War round his neck (LBJ), filibustered the senate authorization until it was too late and the Commander of the Legionaries surrendered. Like our MIAs from Vietnam all the Legionaries still have not been accounted for.

Dien Phen Bu was France's greatest hour of shame and defeat on the field of battle for surrendering.

[Steve Van Doorn]

"Dien Phen Bu"

I remember the battle now. I didn't know it was Johnson that ruined our relationship with France. I guess the Dems have always been stabing us in the back.

Thanks

[stormer]

Except it's Dien Bien Phu. Here's some stuff for those that are interested.

http://www.dienbienphu.org/english/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dien_Bien_Phu
http://www.historynet.com/vn/bl_battle_to_remember/