Christian de Castries was born on August 11, 1902 in Paris, France. He was married to Denise Schwob d'Héricourt. He died on July 29, 1991 in Paris, France.
Commanded the French at the disastrous Battle of Dien Bien Phu, Spring
1954. Considered irresistible to women, he was reputed to have named
the base's three outlying artillery positions -- Gabrielle, Béatrice,
and Isabelle -- after his mistresses.
General defeated at Dienbienphu, he was a prisoner with his men and released after 4 months.