Battle of Nà Sản

Battle of Na San
Part of First Indochina War
Date October-2 December 1952 Location Na San, Son La Province, Vietnam Result French Union victory and successful evacuation
Belligerents
French Union France State of Vietnam	Viet Minh
Commanders and leaders
Jean Gilles	Vo Nguyen Giap
Strength
-	-
Casualties and losses
-	3,000 casualties

The Battle of Na San was fought between French Union forces and the communist forces of the Viet Minh at Na San, Son La Province during the First Indochina War.

the "Hedgehog"

During the battle French commanders used a new tactic, called "the hedgehog" (le hérisson), for the first time. The hedgehog defense consisted of an outpost surrounded by several armed positions (Point d'appui or P.A.). The objective was to provoke an enemy frontal assault, rather than fighting off hit and run attacks or falling into ambushes.

This tactic earned the French a victory at the battle of Na San. As a result, the hedgehog defense became standard practice, until the defeat of Dien Bien Phu.

The evacuation of a similar outpost at An Khe led to the disastrous Battle of Mang Yang Pass that ended the war in 1954. Though the Na San camp was successfully evacuated itself in August 1953.

Outposts

In early October 1952, there was a single outpost and a short airstrip at Na San, however by late November the Hanoi-based French Air Force Dakotas transported troops and material there in order to complete a fortified outpost allowing a direct confrontation with the Viet Minh division.

Operation Lorraine

Main article: Operation Lorraine

Up north between the Red River and the Clear River, General Raoul Salan launched Operation Lorraine as a diversion on 9 November, it lasted until November 19.

See also

• Operation Lorraine
• Battle of Dien Bien Phu

Media links

• Views upon Indo-China #4: Na San, a battle in the jungle, French Army Cinematographic Service (SCA#64), May 7th 1953

External links

• Template:Fr The battle of Na San, October-December 1952, R. Vercken & P. Gras (airforce in the battle)