751G.00/3–3154: Telegram
The Ambassador at Saigon (Heath) to the Department of State
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[Received 1:47 a.m.]
1845. Repeated information Paris niact 590, Tokyo 61, Singapore 51, Manila 178, Hanoi 319. Viet Minh have commenced the second all-out attack on Dien Bien Phu. French Commissioner General DeJean has given us following details:
Weather yesterday was bad until 1800 hours, thus hampering French aviation. Enemy commenced violent artillery barrage on central redoubt at 1800 hours continuing until midnight. Positions “Dominique” and “Eliane” on east side of redoubt were attacked in force, presumably by elements of Viet Minh 315th and 316th Divisions. In heavy fighting, French lost three out of five strong points of position “Dominique”, and two out of four strong points of position “Eliane”. However, a counterattack this morning aided by artillery support from “Isabelle” resulted in recapture of one strong point in “Eliane”. Preliminary reports indicate French lost between 1½ and 2 battalions of Algerians who defended “Dominique” and Moroccans defending “Eliane”, plus elements of Vietnamese parachute companies who did splendid work in counterattack.
During this bloody night action, losses were exceedingly high on both sides. However, General Navarre as of 8 a.m. today, although regarding position as serious, does not yet feel it is critical. French were able during this early morning’s counterattack to wipe out infiltrations around “Epervier” which at one time had threatened De Castries mobile reserve, which consists of three parachute battalions and ten tanks. However, DeJean admitted that French have lost four 105s and two 155s, although guns were spiked before falling in enemy hands.
Meanwhile, an active battle goes on as two outermost positions of “Huguette” apparently undertaken by elements of enemy 308th Division.
[Page 1191]DeJean said that Navarre had three parachute battalions in reserve in Tonkin delta which might, if necessary, be used to reinforce Dien Bien Phu garrison. Weather today is good for flying.1
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In telegram 1848 from Saigon, Mar. 31, Ambassador Heath provided the following additional information:
“Regret to be forced to modify last sentence Embtel 1845. Unfortunately weather this morning has been bad and French have been unable up to 1100 hours to take off from Hanoi either by heavy bombers or drop missions although fighter bombers have been able to operate over battlefield and last night both B–26’s and Privateers were engaged. Inability thus far to drop is of critical importance as it is Navarre’s apparent intent to drop one or two parachute battalions and one additional battery of 105’s or 75’s today. In last night’s battle French lost seven guns at central redoubt and six out of twelve guns at ‘Isabelle’. If by nightfall today these reinforcements have not been made available to De Castries our military feel that Viet Minh may be able this night to overpower ‘Eliane’, which is hill position, and thus be in posture for a final assault. Navarre will then be faced with crucial decision whether to engage more forces or to fight it out to last man with what is left at Dien Bien Phu. Weather is still the vital element in this equation.” (751G.00/3–3154)
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