Succesful military logistics in Dien Bien Phu campaign

Pack-bikes contribute to the success of the historic victory. Each bike could carry up to between 200 to 300 kilograms of goods.Up to 33,300 militata transport over 20,000 tons of food and fires for 87,000 soldiers.

Thousands of tons of ammunition, petrol and oil, rice, salt, meat and other necessaries were transported to troops at the front. Up to 20,991 pack-bikes; 914 hourses, 736 buffalo, 1,000 vessels were mobilized

Militia repairs bridges and roads in order to pull artillery to Dien Bien Phu battle

To transport supplies to the frontline where automobile could not reach, pack-bikes and human strength were mobilized effectively.

Viet Minh soldiers pull howitzers across hills. While the howitzers were being pulled through the forest paths by trucks, each machine was completely covered in thick leaves. Witnessing such a sacrifice by a comrade, musician Hoang Van composed the heartfelt song, “Heave Away The Cannon” (Hò Kéo Pháo)

Preparing for the great battle at Dien Bien Phu, thousands of soldiers and civilians work day and night for months. When the strategy of “quick attack, quick win” was changed into “slow advance, certain success”, demands for military supplies were growing. The logistics sector mobilized all their sources and locals to ensure treatment and food for not only wounded and sick Vietnamese soldiers but also for the wounded enemies.

Vessels float upstream Ma River to supply rice to Dien Bien Phu in 1954

Lines of strucks head to the battlefield