Post date: 25/10/2013

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The strategic 1953-1954 Winter-Spring Campaign

Until 1953, the French were neither able to advance or retreat in the battle for Viet Nam. In order to change the situation, they made compromising agreements with the American government. General Navarre was appointed Commander-in chief of expeditionary armies in Indochina. They formed "The Navarre Plan" to destroy our regular army within 18 months in order to achieve a strategic victory to allow France out of the war with honor.

In September 1953, the Standing committee of the Party Central Committee, directed by President Ho Chi Minh, met to discuss the 1953-1954 Dong-Xuan (Winter-Spring) military mission. The Standing committee emphasized strategic principles and combat directions of the Winter-spring Campaign as follows: Destroy enemy’s vital force, enhance our forces, steadily attack, fight to victory, strike enemy at then weak points, remain on the offensive and force the enemy to scatter.

The Standing Committee of the Party Central Committee discussing the combat plan for the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring Campaign

The Central Military Commission and the Command discussing the combat plan for the 1953-1954 Winter-Spring Campaign. From right to left: Head of the Political Department Nguyen Chi Thanh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, Head of the Logistics Department Tran Dang Ninh and Chief-of-staff Van Tien Dung

Source: "Commander-in-chief General Vo Nguyen Giap" Book

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