French medical airlift from Dien Bien Phu, with C-47B 349089 (43-9089) and L-20A Beaver 26157 (52-6157, c/n 555) on the left. This photo was taken at the airfield of Dien Bien Phu itself. During the siege of the fortress city by the Viet Minh, the airfield became unusable for the French from late March 1954. Dien Bien Phu fell on 7 May. The French were allowed to evacuate their seriously wounded, 858 according to Wikipedia. Initially only light aircraft and helicopters were able to use the airfield, Muong Thanh, which we understand is the modern DIN airport. Photo from: ECPAD