... built-up areas, they continued their old colonial policies. In early 1954 the French launched a plan which they hoped would end the war. The plan was to entice the Viet Minh to attack a French camp and then destroy the Viet Minh forces. The place chosen was Dien Bien Phu. The French plan ended in disaster: The location was surrounded by mountains and thick jungle and was 200 miles from ... the French supply base at Hanoi; the weather on the day was wet making it difficult for ... the French to supply or evacuate their troops by air support; French use ... ...

• Word Count: 2139
• Approx Pages: 9