The Battle of Dien Bien Phu (ft. Overly Sarcastic Productions) | Animated History 

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They killed the video like the Viet Minh killed French hopes at keeping Indochina.

Ho Chi Minh (1945): We declare independence France: You can't just say you're independent and expect it to work Ho Chi Minh (1954): We did not say it, we declared it

My grandfather fought for Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu and he still has a bullet inside his back from this battle until he died (2016). He told me the story about this battle and other battles he went through for hundred times but never disappointed me, always attractive and so many lessons. So proud

I'm an American former soldier. My father was an Army officer and fought in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. The plain and simple fact is we backed the wrong people and they beat us through sheer determination and willpower. Give them the respect they earned.

And the strategy used in this battle by the Viet Minh general (general Vo Nguyen Giap) was inspired by Napoleon *ironic* 100

Giap lived to the grand old age of 102. He saw war with Japan, France, USA, China and the economic success of Doi Moi. If anyone died a proud man, it was him. Rest easy, hero.

Giap was known as the “ Red Napoleon “ Damnnn the Vietminh activated their Uno reverse card real badly.

"Dien Bien Phu" in the title Every Vietnamese around 50000km radius: "This comment section is being liberated!"

Kudos to the Vietnamese, they fought the french, then the japanese, then the french, then the american, then the chinese and khmer rouge at the same time. Their patriotic actions for their motherland deserve a noble prize.

United States: 0 France: 0 Vietnam: 2

Japanese: **Use guerrilla tactics** Ho Chi Minh: Interesting

7:40 Speaking with Chinese adviser, there is another French joke. Head of the adviser, one of the grand general of PLA, Cheng Geng, once planed an ambush against the French, but the Vietcong delayed their operation due to the rain. While he was furious for the lost of this opportunity, (and possible defeat), vietcong told him that the ambush was a great success, because the French was also late for the rain. Later that day, he wrote in his dairy, "Vietcong and French imperialist are such a great pair of opponent"

Who will win? 3 of the strongest Imperial powers in modern history (France, Japan, And the USA) Or Some rice farmers

FYI there were some WW2 German veterans in French Legion at Dien Bien Phu. Now imagine this: You are a German soldier fighting on the Estern Front Witnessed Katyushas raining down on your strongpoint Survived the war and somehow joined the French Legion Got transferred to Viet Nam in 1953 Got assigned to Dien Bien Phu in 1954 Witnessed Katyushas raining down on your strongpoint once again

French : We lost North Vietnam American : We lost South Vietnam, together with Cambodia and Laos ! We took the disaster to a whole new level ! P.s. my parents are cambodians from phnom penh

It’s history...........you can’t just DEMONETIZE it! Keep up the work don’t stop we are hungry for more history Thanks for the likes Makes me have the feeling that for once people agree on the same thing

I don't understand why this would be demonetized while overly sexual videos aren't. Don't worry, I rewatched the entire video.

My Grandfather told me about this battle. He was part of the 1er B.e.P Paratroopers of the Foreign Legion and was fighting there (and also on Algeria and Marokko and the attempt to invade paris by the legion). He was one of the prisoners of war after the battle and is one of the few witnisses of this battle who is still alive. He is still fighting with the horrors of this battle to this day and has troubles to talk about this, but what he told me is so dark its hard to believe. He earned the officie de la legion d'honneur for his actions and is allways invited by the french for military parades and events. Thank you for uploads like this, that help to understand what he went through and greetings from germany

French therapist : Mountain arty doesn't exist, it can't hurt you Viet-minh :

My grandfather actually fought in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu on the French side as a part of the Maghreb force, when he came back along with other Algerian soldiers telling the stories of French humiliation and incompetence this emboldened more and more people to push for Algerian Independence citing this exact battle, and that the unbeatable power that we built in our heads was actually beatable. So this exact battle had a big impact on the de-colonization of Africa since France gave independence to all her African holding to concentrate it's power on Algeria only to loose it later anyway.

We need a RU-vid historian union so RU-vid can't jack the history channels around anymore.

I recall Lyndon Johnson once said: I don’t want any damn Dien Bien Phu - that’s how significant the thing was

To add extra salt to the wound, this dude uploaded the video on Vietnam’s independence day

French and Americans after losing to the Vietnamese: *I WOULD HAVE WON IF I DIDN'T LOSE*

Giap: "It's over De Castries, I have the High Ground!" De Castries: "You understimate my power!" Giap:"Dont try it!" De Castries: REEEEEEE *Giap's artillery bombards the entire French defense in half*

"Vietnam has the right to be a free and independent country-and in fact is so already. The entire Vietnamese people are determined to mobilize all their physical and mental strength, to sacrifice their lives and property in order to safeguard their independence and liberty." Ho Chi Minh, Declaration of Independence.

Although the French lost, I think their strategy in the 50s in Vietnam is quite understandable. Up to that point, Vietminh had always appeared to be a guerilla force, killing French troops in forests and ambushes. What choices would they have to defeat such an army? Sending patrols in would be suicidal. Therefore, building a stronghold to draw the enemy forces and destroy them was not really bad, especially when considering the French superior weapons and air dominance. The location of the stronghold must be strategically important, so the Vietminh had to attack it. Building it in Dien Bien Phu was not that wrong since it was difficult in that terrain to assemble enough artillery pieces to cause major damage to the fortification. Looking at the battle of Dien Bien Phu from this perspective is quite interesting. Everything the French did there was theoretically correct. Yet it led to their defeat cause they forgot to take into account one big factor that's not in military books: The determination of the Vietnamese people. These are a few points I want to talk about this battle. Sorry for my bad English xD

*"This will be easy win !"* They said . *"Those are just farmers . What could they possible do ?"* They said .

America plausibly using Nuclear Weapons for tactical purposes? Damnit, MacArthur, you’re supposed to be retired!

This was so insightful- thank you for this!

"Let's make a fortress and lure them in. Idiots will waste their forces attacking this." *Lost* *Surprised pikachu face*

Those Vietnamese farmers sure are tough

Calling the South Vietnam government a "democratic government" stretches that term to an extreme.

A absolutely love history and your videos are excellent! Great animation. You put a lot of work into these and I appreciate it.

Except for Russia who is a friend of Vietnam, Vietnam has defeated 4/5 member countries of the United Nations Security Council

VIET MINH's artillery at the battle of Dien Bien Phu: "It's over FRANCE, i have the high ground"

really liked the scene with the french officer at the beginning not gonna lie shame it had to be removed

Great video, very well researched with fantastic animations.

"Don't worry guys I have a plan" *Charles Piroth has left the game*

Vietnam in the 20th century: war, war, war, war, war and war.

Yes the French really did not want to abandon those vietnamise rice fields.

I liked the video because you credited Kevin McLeod on his track 'All This', which I've been hearing in much lots of many historical videos, and I wanted to download it so bad but I didn't know either the artist or the title. THANK YOU.

Vietnam: destroys colnists RU-vid: must be fake history, we shall demonetize it!

1:58 The "Red Napoleon" defeats the French? This is beyond science

Everybody always remembers the genius of Hannibal Barca's logistics but Vo Nguyen Giap's wizardry blows it all away.

Nicely done, this channel has come so far

Corona Virus in early January 2020: "I will rule the world, destroy its economy and enslave humanity! " Early May 2020: Corona Virus: "I actually conquered 99% of the world! But .. There is such a small country called VIETNAM, to which I have my big problems. Do my slaves have ideas?" - A Mongol, a Chinese, a French, an American: "well .. well .. well ..well.. "

It should be noted that in France this war is very little known, indeed during this war the public opinion was disinterested in this conflict. The French were not really attached to this colony compared to Algeria, for example.

Thank you so much for reuploading this episode. It's one battle I have a keen interest of, specially because of its meaning for the second half of XIX century history and consequences .

9:11 rage quit in reallife belike:

The irony is, before the French returned, Ho Chi Minh pleaded with the Americans to help them secure Vietnam's independence. But the American wanted their buddy the French to have their good ol colony back, which led to this mess and the Vietnam war later. Had they accepted that simple wish for independence, Vietnam would have been an American ally.

Ho Chi Minh was an awesome comrade, forever in our hearts

My grandfather was in Dien Bien Phu as a soldier of the french foreign legion. He wanted to go home because he caught some desease and wrote letters to his family. Luckily the Swiss consolate managed to get him out before this massacre happened.

One of my grandmother's cousins fought in this battle and died when he was only 20 years old and from what my grandmother told me, his family still couldn't find his body yet. In his last letter to his family, he said he could feel the war going to end soon so he asked his family to prepare the feast so he could marry the daughter of neighbour's house. That girl and her family later died when America dropped bombs in the North.

Reading about Caesar and Napoleon I was impressed with their art of surprise, a mix of speed, stealth and audacity.

Stunning quality Griffin, I’ve been following you for a long long time and your editing and animation skills have never been better. Please don’t let RU-vid’s algorithms bring you down, your community is with you :)

It's sad how RU-vid just decides to cuddle up to advertisers instead of taking care of content creators.

13:34 „Democratic state in the south“ Didn’t know a dictatorship could get such a cool name

Glad to see some good history shows!

This video is even better on the second viewing! You guys are doing incredible work and producing highly professional content that RU-vid should be thanking you for producing! Keep up the great work!

ok i'll take "we're blowing up everything, adieu" as my motto

Nice video. I loved the animation. Nice job guy.

You are the man, the Mann alternate timelines kick ass.

That weird moment when you think the battle is going well by then you hear a grenade go off in the officer quarters 😳 This is stolen, but I had to make sure it made it to this vid

Fantastic video. So well done from the art, narration and "battle map"

This needs a remaster. That would slap hard

Ha ha, the stuff from the ad at the beginning of the story: ''Mais c'est quoi ce bordel'' ha ha, well done.

Video: Dien Bien Phu RU-vid's subtitles: *Champion fool*

Love this video! One piece of interesting history behind this is that a member of the 101st airborne, easy company (from band of brothers) was a special advisor at this battle. It's believed he is the only person to be sieged at bastogne, AND dien bien phu.

Fun fact. De Castries once provoked NVA General Vo Nguyen Giap. At the time, both the NVA and french took Dien Bien Phu as a decisive battle. Right before the crucial moment to attack, General Giap changed his strategy from "Blitzkrieg attack" to "slowly but surely attack". He retreated his troops and also sent division 308 to launch an attack in Laos as diversion. Under the possibility of the NVA leaving DBP. Col. De Castries dropped leaflets to provoke General Giap. The content can be roughly translated as: "To compete with a few of my battalions stationed at Dien Bien Phu. You had concentrated 4 division of your most elite men equipped with powerful weaponry that you just received. Yet, you haven't put them in the field, Sir General. You have promised your men and your people that they will have Tet in Dien Bien Phu. Tet is about to come. What are you waiting for, Sir General? You considered this battle would be a decisive one as for the both of our country, Sir General. Or perhaps you're afraid of losing, Sir General? Are you not believing in your men? You have made a promise so you should keep that promise, Sir General. You were always saying that your men put their trust in you, so don't you disappoint them, Sir General. You should not be afraid of losing face in front of your men, Sir General. Dear General, as a soldier myself, I have to admire your men bravery. Come by any time, I'll be waiting for you here, Sir General."

Wow so happy this video is here finally thank you Armchair History

Fun fact: reupload on the Vietnamese independence day. Nice

Could you do the Indonesian War of Independence? Or maybe more history about Southeast Asia

This channel along with history matters and mark felton are the best history lessons available on RU-vid

Underestimating the enemy is the most devastating move you could ever make

Your art is extraordinary. I saw all the pictures which you replicate and this is TRULY AMAZING !!!

Great video! History is lost if not passed on! Great job you should be commended.

French, Japanese, French again, Americans and the Khmer Rogue. That’s an impressive list, amazing that Vietnam managed to do this

French : I fear no man,but that thing Vietnam : *rice farmer* *French move chair closer to the camera* : it's scare me

My Great-Grandfather fought against the French at Dien Bien Phu, I couldn’t be more proud.

I always enjoy the content The Armchair Historian produces, I regret sometimes not taking history beyond AS-level, but these series allows me to stretch that part of my brain and enjoy history still

The Team America alternate ending killed me! 🤣🤣

Great video man!

Thank you very much ! As a french student who never studied it, I was particularly interested ;)

Any other vietnamese descendant with a grandpa fighting in that battle? Im glad to have seen that video. Kind of reminded me of my grandpa telling his stories till he passed out. *Sigh* Childhood memories with grandparents.

My grandfather participated in this battle as a team commander, I am very proud of him

You know it’s weird. I had thought to myself. Haven’t seen any videos from the Armchair historian pop by in my feed lately. check back and see I’m no longer subscribed.... and I never did that myself 🤔 interesting. Glad I decided to check back in and see y’all are still active!

The book Hell in a Very Small Place by Robert Fall is an excellent account of the events before, during, and after the battle of Dien Bien Phu. Fall interviewed combatants from both sides to and referenced unclassified French military memos and documents to write his book. He spares no detail when describing the events on the ground during the Hellish battle. Highly recommended.

The French: you can't possibly bombard us with artillery if we're surrounded by mountains VietMinh: im going to pull whats called a pro gamer move *pulls artillery pieces up the mountains with solely manpower and willpower*

That general who named forts with his mistresses...speechless.

Thank you for the video!

*French supply drops come in* France: Things are finally looking good! Viet Minh: I’m gonna end these soldiers career! *Brings in Katyusha Rocket launchers* French: *Chuckles nervously* Hehe, we’re in trouble.

Dien Bien Phu is the conclusion of a long tactic lesson for the French and the Viet-Minh. The french, who have lost praticly all his nationale quipment, buy a lot to the american or used old take of war like the germans Junker Ju 52. It's the same for tatctics, they make theyr own anti-guerilla tactics as they go. The war is mostly made in the North, in the Tonkin Region, The south (Laos Annam and Cochinchine) only have small attacks because of the new Vientnamise army (Armée National Vietnamienne or ANV) that fight effectively in this region. The French are effectiv in the land with improvised armored trains, like the "Rafale" ( 8 machinguns, 2 canon (20 et 40 mm) and 2 howitzers (60 mm et 81 mm). In the paddy fields, the army used old GMC or M8 Greyhound and M24 Chaffee and the Marine Nationale, which keep the cost, used the river to creat a new force named "Dinassauts" (for "DIvision NAvales d'ASSAUTS") equipped by Landing Craft Infantry or Landing Ship Support and supported by numerous M29C used like "Amphibious cavalery". In this time, the air is not a problem, frenc have the suppremacy with, for exemple, 420 planes in 1954. Only land is difficult, and theyre is two battle which brought to Dien Bien Phu : the battle of Dong Khé in 1950 and the battle of Na San in 1952. Dong Khé is a Dien Bien Phu in advence : an advanced fortified camp close to the Chinese border on a major road "Route Colonial 4" or "RC4") in a locked valley, like Dien Bien Phu. Defeat is avoided with the help of the paratroopers, who attacked by surprised. This lesson is learned by the Viet-Minh. For France, the Battle of Na San is the referancial tactic for the general Navarre : a fortified camp with artillery, 105 mm canon or howitzers, with a landing runway for support. But Giap learn again : he fromed is army for break Na San model Camps, join to the 351st division 24 artillery pieces of 105 mm (amercican, like the frecnh) supported by Anti-Aicraft division of 36 canon of 37 mm and numerous machine gun. The french is informed but, in december 1953 and february 1954, two improvised french camp stoped the attacks in Laos, so Navarre is confident. The french launch, before the attack of Dien Bien Phu, a massive operation named "Atlante", the biggets french operation of the war. They attack with the navy, the air force and the infantry. in result, the french have no resrves for Dien Bien Phu. In Fact When we see in details, French have numerous tactical and innovative succes, but no chances, like the americans, to win the war.

You are an inspiration man!

Walking that artillery through the forest is an amazing feat if you've ever seen how thicc the jungles of Vietnam are

It’s a shame such a talented youtuber is being demonitized

IT'S LITERALLY JUST HISTORY...

Love your videos

I enjoyed all your video