The Battle of Mao Khe, occuring from March 23, 1951 to March 28, 1951, was a significant engagement in the First Indochina War between France and the Viet Minh. The French forces, led by World War II hero Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, inflicted a defeat on Vietnamese forces, which were commanded by Vo Nguyen Giap. The French victory, however, was not decisive and the Viet Minh would attack again shortly afterwards. Combatants French Republic Viet Minh Commanders Strength 500,000  ? Casualties 94,581 dead 78,127 wounded 40,000 captured 300,000+ dead 500,000+ wounded 100,000 captured The First Indochina War (also called the French Indochina War) was fought in Southeast Asia from 1946 through 1954 between the nation... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in Leap years). ... March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (88th in Leap years). ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (February 2, 1889 - January 11, 1952) was a French military hero of World War II. Born at Mouilleron-en-Pareds (during the time of Georges Clemenceau, who was also born there), he graduated from school in 1911, and fought in World War I. He specialized... Võ Nguyên Giáp General Võ Nguyên Giáp (born 25 August 1911) is a Vietnamese four-star general, who was the military leader of the Viet Minh guerrilla group under Hồ Chí Minhs political leadership, and of the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in the Democratic... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in Leap years). ... March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (88th in Leap years). ... Combatants French Republic Viet Minh Commanders Strength 500,000  ? Casualties 94,581 dead 78,127 wounded 40,000 captured 300,000+ dead 500,000+ wounded 100,000 captured The First Indochina War (also called the French Indochina War) was fought in Southeast Asia from 1946 through 1954 between the nation... The Viet Minh (abbreviated from Việt Nam ộc Lập ồng Minh Hội, League for the Independence of Vietnam) was formed by Ho Ngoc Lam and Nguyen Hai Than in 1941 to seek independence for Vietnam from France. ... Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... Jean de Lattre de Tassigny (February 2, 1889 - January 11, 1952) was a French military hero of World War II. Born at Mouilleron-en-Pareds (during the time of Georges Clemenceau, who was also born there), he graduated from school in 1911, and fought in World War I. He specialized... Võ Nguyên Giáp General Võ Nguyên Giáp (born 25 August 1911) is a Vietnamese four-star general, who was the military leader of the Viet Minh guerrilla group under Hồ Chí Minhs political leadership, and of the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in the Democratic...

Prelude

After suffering a heavy setback at the Battle of Vinh Yen, Giap decided to attack the port of Haipong, the centerpiece of French logistics. Giap planned to breach the French defenses at Mao Khe, which was about 20 miles north of the port. He hoped that the fresh 316th Division, supported by diversionary attacks from the 304th and 320th divisions, would be enough to break the French.

Mao Khe was poorly defended. It was encircled by a series of outposts, with the town itself held by an armored car platoon of the Moroccan Colonial Infantry. The Mao Khe coal mine was located 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) to the north of the town and was garrisoned by a company of partisans commanded by a Vietnamese lieutenant and three French NCOs. To the east of the town, a company from the 30th Senegalese Composite Battalion guarded a fortified Catholic Church. In total, the French had about 400 troops.

Battle

After diversionary thrusts on March 23, the 316th Division began to assail Mao Khe's outposts later in the night. They had carried all major positions by the 26th and prepared for the main attack on the city. At this point, the anticipated Communist attack stalled under heavy pressure from French naval forces, which had managed to approach Mao Khe via a deep channel in the nearby Da Bac River.

De Lattre was uncertain of Giap's intentions, but he did send the 6th Colonial Parachute Battalion (6e BPC) and some artillery batteries to relieve the beleaguered forces at Mao Khe. Early in the morning of the 27th, the the 316th Division launched a massive attack against the coal mine, whose defenders resisted bravely until French B-26s and Hellcats alleviated the pressure. After exhausting their ammunition, the partisans beat a skillful retreat to Mao Khe.

At 0200 on the 28th, the Viet Minh opened up a torrent of artillery and mortar fire against the town. They launched a number of human-wave attacks that were repulsed by well-placed French artillery. The Viet Minh eventually entered the town and a bloody hand-to-hand confrontation began, although the momentum of the attack had petered out. The Vietnamese withdrew later in the morning.

Aftermath

Casualties had been light for the French and, at around 3,000, heavy for the Viet Minh. Although the French had been victorious, Giap's losses were not nearly as bad as at Vinh Yen two months ago. Giap would make another unsuccessful attempt to breach the French lines in late May.

Sources

Setting the Stage in Vietnam