 Bréchignac was given command of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er RCP), which arrived in Indochina on 17 January 1953, taking part in several airborne operations, most notable the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.He and most of his battalion jumped into Dien Bien Phu during the night of 3/4 April.Bréchignac was captured at the end of the battle; he was amongst the minority that survived Viet Minh captivity.