Dien Bien Phu: The Final Gamble. Rubber match, scenario A

  Mike and I got together to play the full Dien Bien Phu: The Final Gamble scenario.  Our first two games were Scenario B, which basically cuts the first two strongpoints:  Gabrielle and Beatrice, out of the game and cutting 6 turns.  We took on Scenario A, with the Vietminh starting on the outer edge …

Dien Bien Phu: The Final Gamble. Playing #2- Part 2

  When Mike and I resumed our game, I had moved past most of the outer strongpoints and was approaching the main encampment.  Mike had deftly abandoned each outer strongpoint before I could encircle them, saving his Legionnaires for further fighting later on.  I was right on, or just ahead of the pace I needed …

Dien Bien Phu: The Final Gamble. Playing #2 – Part 1

  After surrounding my French Legionnaires in our first playing, ending with my surrender, Mike and I flipped the game around and it was my turn to attack with the Vietminh.  In both games, we have played scenario B which starts the Vietminh closer to the main fortifications, essentially removing the need for the capture …

Dien Bien Phu: The Final Gamble Pt.2

  Mike and I got together over the last two game nights and finished up our first playing of Dien Bien Phu: The Final Gamble by Legion Wargames.  We were ready to start the last rain turn, 21-23 April.  After this it was monsoon time for the remainder of the game.  Then things get difficult …

Dien Bien Phu: The Final Gamble. Pt 1

  With Victory Game's Vietnam: 1965-75 put on the back burner for a bit, Mike and I have turned our attention to a different earlier conflict in Vietnam:  Dien Bien Phu.  Any of us who like history know the story of General Giap's Vietminh manhandling artillery into the mountains surrounding the valley in which the …