Content #043

Eliane 2. Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam. 2008
‘Today, the former battlefield is one large historical site. Former French fortified positions such as Beatrice, Isabelle, Eliane, the Bailey bridge and de Castries’ headquarters bunker have been preserved, all in relatively-good condition. Nearly 30 kilometres away from the centre of Dien Bien Phu is the Viet Minh army complex, containing shelters and trenches, which is also preserved in Muong Phang village. A 96-meter tunnel connects the working-places of General Võ Nguyên Giáp and General Hoàng Văn Thái. In addition, monuments and memorials to both sides are situated across the region, as are the few remaining French Chaffee tank wrecks scattered all throughout the valley, such as in the many rice paddy-fields of the area. Also, the same runway used by the French during the battle remains to this day and is still in active use, but it is made of concrete. The pierced-steel planking used by the French was taken up by villagers and used in construction of their homes and businesses.’ Bron: Wikipedia.