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Vietnam: in Dien Bien Phu, the last French veterans invited to commemorate the battle, 70 years later
Vietnam: in Dien Bien Phu, the last French veterans invited to commemorate the battle, 70 years later
(franceinfo)
70 years ago, the French army was defeated at Dien Bien Phu, in what is now Vietnam. This year, three veterans were invited to commemorate the event, as part of a process of reconciliation with the former colonial power.
Three veterans of the French army from the battle of Dien Bien Phu (Vietnam) walk back with emotion up one of the hills where they fought 70 years ago. These last three survivors were invited to an event dedicated to reconciliation with the former colonial power. “I am very moved and very sad. I frankly admit that I had flashes, I had hesitations“, testifies William Schilardi, 90 years old.
56 days of fierce fighting
In the northwest of what is now Vietnam, after 56 days of fierce fighting, the Viet Minh army launched the final assault on the French positions, held by paratroopers. On May 7, 1954, the Dien Bien Phu vintage fell. On the other side, no one has forgotten this battle. Vietnam veterans like to display their medals. More than 10,000 Viet Minh lost their lives. Almost three months after the battle, the French government ended hostilities in Indochina.
