Many Years Ago
Many years ago this day, in 1954,the 13th DBLE was enduring heavy bombardment from Vietminh artillery in their positions at the Beatrice and Claudine fortifications in Dien Bien Phu. A shell exploded in the unit's field headquarters mortally wounding the 13th DBLE's commander Lieutenant Colonel Jules Gaucher, who suffered the loss of two arms and severe injury to both legs and chest before sucumbing to his wounds. He was 49 years old. This is heading Lt.Col. Jules Gaucher in Indochina, circa 1950s Gaucher had served exclusively with the French Foreign Legion since 1931. Previously he was posted with an Algerian Tirailleurs regiment, before being transfered to the 1st REI and later the 2nd REI during the 1930s in North Africa. This is internal link , linking within the site. Upon promotion to captain in 1938, he was commissioned with the 5th REI serving in Tokin, French Indochina. He remained with this unit throughout World War Two, receiving wounds and being decorated for hi...