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.

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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 his service in the 5th REI fighting the Japanese in the final months of the war. After the Japanese surrender,

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Gaucher was raised to the rank of major, briefly returning to Sidi Bel Abbes where he was placed in the newly reconfigured 13th DBLE, and followed the unit back to Indochina. He commanded the 3rd Battalion, and was commended for heroism and decisive planning during the Battle of Hoa Binh in 1951.

In recognition of this he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and offered commands elsewhere. However, Gaucher rejected being transfered, instead preferring to remain in Indochina with the 13th DBLE, where he took a demotion as executive officer. He remained in this position until a short time prior to the beginning of the Dien Bien Phu offensive when he was made commander of the 13th DBLE.