Nick Stern  | 30 Apr 2026 10:12 a.m. PST |
I've tried several rules for 1950s French Indochina including Bolt Action (too generic) and Mourir Pour L'Indochine (too complex). I have been focusing on the Dien Bien Phu campaign and I've come to the conclusion that the best match might be a set of WW1 trench warfare rules. Has anyone tried something like that for DBP? |
| nnascati | 30 Apr 2026 2:34 p.m. PST |
Take a look at One Hour Skirmish Wargames. They have a variant for the Vietnam War. |
 deadhead | 01 May 2026 7:06 a.m. PST |
Interesting thought comparing DBP to WWI Trench warfare. To some degree in DBPhu, Khe Sanh, Stalingrad end of 1942 (or even Bastogne, if short-lived) there was more to success or collapse than entrenched infantry and artillery barrages. Trenches, from the sea to Switzerland, protected their supply lines in WWI. However, surrounded units in later conflicts desperately needed aerial resupply and/or air support, as modern warfare soon exhausts stocks. In all four cases it decided the outcome. Is the idea to refight the campaign or just "A Day in the Life of", as a skirmish? |
 Extra Crispy  | 01 May 2026 7:20 a.m. PST |
At DBP the Viet Minh attacked at night, the French during the day. You would have to develop your own stats, but I think the Flames of War game would do fairly well. It's a good scale for doing the fights for the various hills, Gabrielle could be a game for example. |
| Joe Legan | 01 May 2026 5:01 p.m. PST |
Force on force
I ain't been shot mom ( Charlie don't surf)
PBI
Battlefront WW 2 ( their website has cards for Vietnam) As crispy said, flames of war would work with some effort. Joe |
| martin goddard | 02 May 2026 2:09 a.m. PST |
You might want to consider VIETNAM by Peter Pig. It has specific rules for assaults on firebases.
You would need some barbed wire, gun positions, bunkers etc.
The rules are specifically based upon night time assaults. link martin |
| Joe Legan | 02 May 2026 10:02 a.m. PST |
I didn't realize that Vietnam included the French. They would be a good choice. Better than PBI for the reasons Martin mentioned. Joe |
| martin goddard | 02 May 2026 10:48 a.m. PST |
Sorry Joe for any confusion. VIETNAM does not include the French, but does have night assaults on US firebase. Pretty close tp the french being assaulted by the Vietnamese.
The firebase rules allow for breaches in the wire, close assaults and defensive action, all "ruled" for night assaults. Ideal.. martin |
| Wolfhag | 03 May 2026 9:19 a.m. PST |
Nick,
Again, are you looking at fighting the entire battle or an assault on 1-2 defensive perimeters? I think this board game has some good tips and info: link Good luck,
Wolfhag |
| Nick Stern | 03 May 2026 1:54 p.m. PST |
Wolfhag, sorry for the late reply. The former of the two options. I think the only way to handle the whole campaign is with a board game and I'm not a board gamer. Thanks for all the suggestions! |
| 14Bore | 05 May 2026 12:24 p.m. PST |
I would go with Vietnam for French Indochina, never played it but the French don't seem much different than early US troops |
| Joe Legan | 06 May 2026 2:32 p.m. PST |
I game the 1st Indo-China war a fair amount.
link
14 bore is correct. Most troops were equipped with WW II weapons save for recoiless rockets. The french paratroopers had a higher percentage of SMGs.
Hence many WW II rule sets would work as would Vietnam. If Nick wants to run the entire battle that will be tricky. To big for O group and too small for Rommel. Something where a stand is a company?
Piquet WW II will work if you like Piquet. Most people either like it or hate it with little in between. Joe |
returns to show us how he painted 
