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Ha Long After the success of Operation “Hirondell”, 6th BPC was stationed in Tonkin near Hanoi for a short rest and refit. Our men from 6th BPC went on a short trip outside HaiPhong to the islands of Ha Long, together with two friends from the 1er BEP.
	The myth entangled Ha Long (Dragon Mountain) is an archipelago reaching from HaiPhong and continues along the coast to the east. Much of the rock is of limestone and houses natural caves. The water is only 2,5-4 meters deep.
	The Vietnamese managed to stop three Chinese invasions at Ha Long, in year 938, 994 and finally in 1288. Dy Tranh, a Vietnamese general and commander of the Vietnamese forces during the battle of 1288. Tranh used small boats to outflank the larger less mobile Chinese vessels. These Vietnamese boats, “junky” are still used today – often with red or orange sails. Da Tranh laid the foundation of the Ding dynasty.
	French soldier armed with what appears to be a MAS 49 moves along the shorebank of the archipelago.
	Soldiers Luc Salam Didier and Jens Christiansen from the 1er BEP climb up the steep wall of a cliff. Climbing can be difficult and dangerous, but limestone is particularly climb friendly – due to the many holes and gaps in it.
	Jean Pierre Latrine helps Jens Christiansen up to a platform. Christiansen has an American Colt 1911A1 .45 handgun in a holster.
	Jean Pierre Latrine climbing.
	Jean Pierre Latrine looks into the camera as Christiansen prepares to follow Jean Victor Michelli, also of the 1er BEP, up into a crevasse.
	Soldiers climbing.
	Jean Victor Michelli poses while smoking a cigarette in the crevasse.
	Latrine and Latrine climbing the crevasse, almost up at the top of the cliff. Falling down from a position as this would have a critical result.
	Luc Salam Didier stands on top of a cliff and watches out over Ha Long. A thousand years earlier Vietnamese forces defeated Chinese in these waters and hills.
	Christiansen and Latrine climbing down the mountain.
	More climbing.
	Luc Salam Didier climbing down through a gap. He is wearing the “Ranger” boots with its typical top strap.
	Cliff formations like this pillar like rock, pushing out of the water can be seen all over the area. Indochina is a place of marvellous nature.
	Mountains in the sunset.