Operation Ceinture

Operation Ceinture was a late 1947 military endeavour by the French Far East Expeditionary Corps against the Viet Minh during the First Indochina War. A month-long effort that commenced on 20 November following the cessation of Operation Léa, Ceinture (French: belt) intended to rid the region between Hanoi, Thái Nguyên and Tuyên Quang of Viet-Minh infiltration.^[2] The French utilised 18 paratroop battalions and naval landing craft to engage the Viet-Minh's 112 Regiment, however the latter were able to for the most part slip through French cordons, abandoning weapon caches. The cumulative casualties after Operation Ceinture and Operation Lea were 1,000 for the French and 9,500 for the Viet Minh (though some of these may have been civilians).^[3][4]

Operation Ceinture
Part of the First Indochina War
The region of Đông Bắc, encompassing much of the Hanoi, Thái Nguyên and Tuyên Quang area.
Date 20 November 1947 – 22 December 1947 Location North-west of Hanoi, French Indochina Result French victory Territorial changes Viet-Minh expelled from the region of Hanoi, Thái Nguyên and Tuyên Quang, but many escape French cordons.
Belligerents
French Union France French Indochina	Democratic Republic of Vietnam Việt Minh
Commanders and leaders
Jean Étienne Valluy	Unknown
Strength
18 battalions[1]	Regiment 112 Doc Lap Brigade

The French did succeed in securing the region, and they withdrew their forces on 22 December, leaving a scattering of jungle fortifications to hold the region.^[1]