How could the French have won the Battle of Dien Bien Phu?
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The French made a big mistake at Dien Bien Phu by being overconfident. They built an airstrip and bunkers in a remote valley but didn't secure the high ground or think the Vietminh could bring heavy weapons. The Vietminh surrounded them with artillery and cut off air supplies, turning Dien Bien Phu into a trap.
To win, the French should have:
Secured the high ground with experienced soldiers.
Had more artillery.
Kept the air supply route open.
In the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968, the US Marines avoided these mistakes. They defended the hills, used strong artillery, and received 18,000 tons of supplies by air. The North Vietnamese eventually withdrew, and Khe Sanh was never overrun like Dien Bien Phu .
