VIETNAM-FRANCE-WAR-50-SOLDIERS-ARTILLERY

This undated picture taken in 1954 shows Vietnamese soldiers maintaining artillery batteries prior to fighting at Dien Bien Phu. Vietnam will mark 13 March 2004 the 50th anniversary of the start of the siege of Dien Bien Phu, the epic battle that precipitated the collapse of French colonial rule in Indochina. The fighting began March 13, 1954, and 56 days later, 07 May, shell-shocked survivors of the French garnison hoisted the white flag to signal the end to one of the greatest battles of the 20th century. EDITOR'S NOTE: THE VAST MAJORITY OF VIETNAMESE PHOTOS OF THE BATTLE ARE RECONSTRUCTIONS DONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROPAGANDA. MOST OF THEM WERE TAKEN JUST HOURS AFTER THE ACTUAL EVENTS DEPICTED. AFP PHOTO/VNA/FILES (Photo by AFP / VNA FILES / AFP) (Photo by AFP/VNA FILES/AFP via Getty Images)