Operation Castor

Belligerents

Commanders and leadersJean Gilles

Henri Navarre Võ Nguyên GiápStrength 4,195 (as of 22 November) One infantry battalion and one artillery batteryCasualties and lossesBy 20 November:
11 killed,
52 wounded 92 killed
15 captured

Operation Castor was a successful airborne operation for French Union forces in the First Indochina War. This operation of France and the State of Vietnam established a fortified airhead in Điện Biên Province against the communist Việt Minh, in the north-west corner of Vietnam and was commanded by Brigadier General Jean Gilles. The Operation began at 10:35 on 20 November 1953, with reinforcements dropped over the following two days. With all its objectives achieved, the operation ended on 22 November. Castor was the largest airborne operation since World War II.