A dramatic photo taken by either Daniel Camus or Jean Péraud. Dien Bien Phu is under artillery fire while this C-47 is taxiing for take-off. After landing, 18 impacts were counted on the fuselage. As 42-92457, this C-47 flew paratroopers to Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy on D-Day. It is listed as destroyed at Hanoi's Gia Lam airfield on 28 November 1954. Photo from: ECPAD

Dien Bien Phu airlift. Another photo shows full tail number of the second aircraft, including the 4 of fiscal year 1944 which according to Scramble was not officially part of the French serial. The code is N in a dot, which we think was black for GT 2/62. Aircraft ended up in Ivory Coast as TU-VAC. Photo by: Joe Scherschel / Life

Dien Bien Phu airlift. The ambulance C-47 is ex 44-77011, RAF KN650, future 711 in the Aéronavale. Photo by: Joe Scherschel / Life

Pictured 50 years ago at Oran La Sénia French Air Force air base N° 141. The aircraft has the markings of Transport Squadron 2 / 62 "Sahara" (GT 02-062). In the background stand a Constellation from search and rescue unit EARS 99. The picture is supposed to be taken in the begining of 1961.