French forces occupied the town of Dien Bien Phu to cut nationalist supply lines into Laos and maintain a base for forays against enemy forces. Ultimately, the battle between French and Viet Minh forces at Dien Bien Phu was a serious defeat for the French and became the decisive conflict of the First Indochina War. Campers use miniature soldiers, war games, reference books, documentaries, and detailed models to learn about this pivotal battle. To stimulate ideas for building their own dioramas and terrain board, they spend a day visiting the Marines Museum in Quantico.
