"In late 1953, during the seventh year of France's war against the Viet Minh insurgency in its colony of Vietnam, the commander-in-chief, General Navarre, decided to plant an 'air-ground base' at Dien Bien Phu in the Thai Highlands, to distract General Giap's Vietnamese People's Army from the French heartland of the Red River Delta, and to protect the Laotian border. Elite French paratroopers captured Dien Bien Phu, which was then reinforced between December 1953 and February 1954 with infantry and artillery, a squadron of tanks and one of fighter-bombers, to a strength of 10,000 men. Giap and the VPA General Staff accepted the challenge of a major positional battle; through a total mobilization of national resources, and aided by Chinese logistical help, they assembled a siege army of 58,000 regular troops, equipped for the first time with 105mm artillery and 37mm AA guns. This volume documents the dramatic, 56-day 'Stalingrad in the jungle' siege that drew the attention of the world."--Adapted from back cover.

Origins of the campaign --Chronology -- Opposing commanders -- Opposing forces -- Opposing plans -- The battle -- Aftermath -- The battlefield today.