April 4, 1954: Units stop fighting to reinforce battle positions

After unsuccessful sieges at positions Hill A1 and 105, the Campaign Command realised that if we continued attacking, our soldiers would suffer great losses without any tangible results. Therefore, the Command ordered a pause on the attacks. The units would continue holding the hill areas we have captured to create momentum for the next battle.

Following the Command’s order to stop fighting, on the eastern front, firing had abated but on the western front, the units continued digging trenches and encroached and advanced to the Muong Thanh Airfield to cut off the enemy’s supply.

For the enemy’s side, the French organised a battle to recapture the Huguette strongpoint and protect the Muong Thanh Airfield. The Bailly Company of the 8th Shock Parachute Battalion attempted to come to the rescue from Opéra by advancing along the water drainage canals, but they were stopped halfway.

The Clédic Company of the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion parachuted the previous night and attacked the airfield, forcing one of our battalions to retreat.

In Paris, Colonel Brohon, who just arrived at Orly Airport from Vietnam, went straight to General Ely’s house. Colonel Brohon reported that he had met General Navarre to tell him about Operation Vulture (Opération Vautour). In the meantime, General Ely already had in his hand Navarre’s telegram that said this bombing operation may have a decisive effect.

General Ely decided to put it in a writing to present in a restricted meeting of the Defence Council. Later Navarre sent a telegram with the content “The government has sent a request of intervention that you endorsed to Washington. I assure that you will be fully supported.”