First Indochina War: Dien Bien Phu

First Indochina War: Dien Bien Phu

Author: History Hit October 21, 2022 Duration: 44:54

The siege of Dien Bien Phu took place in 1954 and was a definitive victory for Vietnam. Although the battle brought an end to French colonial rule, the separation of the country’s north and south created a volatile political environment between capitalism and communism, eventually leading to American involvement.


But how did the long time leader of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh, take his guerilla army and turn it into a modern fighting force that was capable of overthrowing an empire?


In this episode, James is joined by author and Professor Christopher Goscha from the University of Quebec to help us understand just how the French lost their way in Vietnam.


For more Warfare content, subscribe to our Warfare Wednesday newsletter here.


If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - enter promo code WARFARE for 7 days free + 50% off your first three months' subscription. To download, go to Android or Apple store.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Hosted by war historian James Rogers, Warfare digs into the conflicts that have fundamentally constructed the world we live in now. This isn't just a chronological march through dates and places; it's about understanding the forces at play. Rogers, from History Hit, brings together a compelling roster of fellow historians, veterans, and specialists for conversations that go beyond the textbook. They examine everything from the tactical realities of the Normandy landings to the geopolitical tremors of the Cold War, connecting threads between Napoleonic battlefields and the shock of 9/11. What you'll hear in this podcast are the human and technological stories that decided outcomes: moments of improbable leadership, the sudden arrival of a game-changing weapon, and the single battles that irrevocably shifted eras. Released twice weekly, each episode is built to offer a fresh angle, pulling you into the complexities of strategy, sacrifice, and consequence. Tune in for a deeply researched, narrative-driven look at how the engine of conflict has driven, for better and worse, the trajectory of modern history.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Warfare
Podcast Episodes
Supersonic Nazi Vengeance: V2 Rocket from Cautionary Tales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:41
We're bringing you an episode of a podcast we think you'll love: Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford. At the height of World War Two, British intelligence began receiving reports that the enemy was developing a rocket weap…
WW2: How The War Ended [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:16
The Second World War officially ended on September 2nd 1945 - and it's estimated that around 3% of the Earth's population perished during the conflict. But what ultimately bought WW2 to an end - and how vital a role did…
Rwandan Genocide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:30
This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault. Over the course of 100 days in 1994, it's estimated that between 500,000 and one million ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were killed by Hutu ex…
Napoleon's Greatest Victory: Austerlitz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:46
December 2nd is a special date for those fascinated by Napoleon Bonaparte. Not only is this the date he crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, but also the date of his greatest victory a year later, the Battle of Aus…
WW2: Life in Tanks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:38
What was it actually like to operate a tank during the Second World War?In this episode, we explore the iron belly of tank warfare through the eyes of Private Arthur Ibbotson, who enlisted in the war as a young lad in 19…
Battle of Kursk with James Holland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:22
This year marks 80 years since one of the more ferocious clashes of the Second World War: the Battle of Kursk. With a combined 8,000 tanks between the German Wehrmacht and the Soviet Red Army, it became the largest tank…
WW2 Heroes: Unheard Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
As we get closer to the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord and the D-Day Landings, we're beginning to witness the passing of 'living memory' from the Second World War. With more eyewitnesses, participants, and war ve…
Putin's Rise to Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
Serving continuously as either Prime Minister or President since 1999, Vladimir Putin's leadership of Russia has always dominated the geopolitical stage and made headlines. Enforcing extreme policies, engaging with dange…
Afghanistan: The Legacies of Withdrawal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:46
In August 2021, after 20 years of military presence, the United States withdrew the last of their troops from Afghanistan. With chaos quickly ensuring and the world seeing images of desperate parents handing infants to e…
Tito: President of Yugoslavia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:26
A Yugoslav revolutionary leader, who served in every major conflict of his lifetime - Josip Broz Tito ruled Yugoslavia for 35 years. Successfully leading the establishment and maintenance of a socialist federation in Yug…