Vietnam 1946

Author: Stein Tonnesson
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520269934
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 388

Book Description
"Vietnam 1946 is a masterful narrative of the immediate origins of the first Vietnam War. It is, by turns, vivid and shocking; it is always immensely revealing. Tønnesson brings forensic clarity to crucial events about which, even now, some sixty years later, fundamental misapprehensions exist. An outstanding work of scholarship of major international importance."—Martin Thomas, author of Empires of Intelligence "Tønnesson captures brilliantly the 1946 confrontation between two republics: France determined to redeem itself from Axis humiliation by regaining Indochina; Vietnam equally determined to retake independence after eighty years of colonial servitude. Tønnesson also demonstrates, however, that some leaders on each side really wanted a peaceful, mutually beneficial outcome. Descent into full-scale war was not inevitable. This is a carefully researched, clearly written analysis of a vital moment in the 20th century history of both countries. It is also a meditation on the elusive boundary between free will and determinism in human affairs."—David Marr, author of Vietnamese Tradition on Trial, 1920-1945 “Stein Tønnesson's Vietnam 1946 answers the fundamental question about the first of Vietnam's 20th century wars, the one fought against the French: how did it happen? He has written a meticulously researched account which restores their contingency to the events. The first Indochina war, like those that succeeded it, was not inevitable and Tønnesson explains why and how it happened anyway.”—Marilyn Young, author of The Vietnam Wars 1945-1990

Street Without Joy

Author: Bernard B. Fall
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 0811767752
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 423

Book Description
First published in 1961 by Stackpole Books, Street without Joy is a classic of military history. Journalist and scholar Bernard Fall vividly captured the sights, sounds, and smells of the brutal— and politically complicated—conflict between the French and the Communist-led Vietnamese nationalists in Indochina. The French fought to the bitter end, but even with the lethal advantages of a modern military, they could not stave off the Viet Minh insurgency of hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, booby traps, and nighttime raids. The final French defeat came at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, setting the stage for American involvement and a far bloodier chapter in Vietnam‘s history. Fall combined graphic reporting with deep scholarly knowledge of Vietnam and its colonial history in a book memorable in its descriptions of jungle fighting and insightful in its arguments. After more than a half a century in print, Street without Joy remains required reading.

The French Indochina War 1946–54

Author: Martin Windrow
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472804309
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 125

Book Description
The states of Indochina had been French colonies or protectorates since the 19th century. However, in March 1945 the Japanese interned all French troops and officials, and turned over all civil government to local authorities. The power vacuum caused by the Japanese surrender allowed the Viet Minh, a strong revolutionary organisation, to be established throughout Vietnam. When the French returned to the north, incidents between French and VM troops were inevitable, negotiations collapsed and the French opted for a military solution. This book examines the history of the conflict and the forces of both sides.

French Indochina War

Author: Huston, Simon
Publisher: Simon Huston
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 213

Book Description
Military mistakes impel strategic reflection. The French Indochina War (FIW) from 1946-1954 furnishes useful insights with some resonance for current challenges. A combination of pre-exiting conditions, catalysts and operational drivers caused the cathartic 1954 French defeat. Pre-conditions included the illegitimacy of the colonial regime, repression that polarised nationalist sentiment. Economically, pernicious terms of trade suppressed industrialisation but oiled speculation until suddenly reversed by devaluation in 1953 that reflected financial disengagement by France but increased American involvement. Vacillating metropolitan and the dubious colonial regime of the ‘night club’ Emperor, Bảo Đại, fuelled political instability. Militarily, after the disastrous evacuation of the RC4 in 1950, Việt Minh men and supplies poured across the Chinese frontier. In 1954, financial constraints and the looming international peace conference catalysed Navarre, the new French commander, to gamble on a battle of attrition. He bet that the Việt Minh would be unable drag artillery to the remote jungle outpost of Diên Biên Phú, but he underestimated their determination, strength, and adaptability. In early December partisans resented the bungled evacuation of Lai Châu. The entrenched camp’s defences were inadequate and neither infantry sorties nor napalm suppressed VM artillery in the surrounding hills. The French aero-logistical sub-system was overstretched, and significant parachute supplies fell into enemy hands. Navarre scattered his reserves on a futile and remote side show, Operation Atlante. The Americans prevaricated and refused to unleash their B29 fleet. ‘Iacta alea est’ - the die was cast.

The French Indochina War 1946–54

Author: Martin Windrow
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9781855327894
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Vietnam

Author: George Donelson Moss
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1315510804
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 452

Book Description
This book provides a comprehensive narrative history of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia, from 1942 to 1975--with a concluding section that traces U.S.-Vietnam relations from the end of the war in 1975 to the present. Unlike most general histories of U.S. involvement in Vietnam--which are either conventional diplomatic or military histories--this volume synthesizes the perspectives to explore both dimensions of the struggle in greater depth, elucidating more of the complexities of the U.S.-Vietnam entanglement. It explains why Americans tried so hard for so long to stop the spread of Communism into Indochina, and why they failed. Key topics: The Fall of Saigon: The End as Prelude. Vietnam: A Place and A People. The Elephant and the Tiger. An Experiment in Nation Building. Raising the Stakes. Going to War. The Chain of Thunders. The Year of the Monkey. A War to End a War. The End of the Tunnel. Market: For anyone curious to know about the long American involvement in Southeast Asia, 1942-1975.

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Cambodia and Laos

Author: DK Travel
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1465452044
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 290

Book Description
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cambodia and Laos is your in-depth guide to the very best of these two countries. Whether you want to explore the temples of Angkor Wat, take a boat trip through the famous Tham Kong Lo caves, or sunbathe on stunning white beaches in southern Cambodia, Cambodia and Laos offer exhilarating options for visitors. Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cambodia and Laos + Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance. + Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights, including the temple complexes of Angkor and Luang Prabang. + Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area. + Area maps marked with sights and restaurants. + Detailed city map of Phnom Penh. + Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights. + Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cambodia and Laos truly shows you this region as no one else can.

Dictionary of Wars

Author: George C. Kohn
Publisher: Infobase Publishing
ISBN: 1438129165
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 705

Book Description
Dictionary of Wars, Third Edition contains detailed summaries of all notable wars from throughout history, spanning more than 4,000 years. Completely updated and expanded, this volume is an authoritative source on the global conflicts, civil wars, mutinies, punitive expeditions, undeclared wars, rebellions, and revolutions that have occurred throughout the world. This edition contains new and updated entries, new illustrations, and new front and back matter. Facts are presented in a lively and engaging manner, and the scope of the book is truly impressive. Approximately 1,850 entries are extensively cross-referenced to help readers find the information they want. This book deals exclusively and concisely with military information, often specifying political, social, economic, and cultural influences on military operations. New coverage includes: Battle of Granicus; Chechen Civil War of 1999-2002; Cote d'Ivoire Civil War of 2002; Fijian Rebellion of 2000; Guinea-Bissauan Civil War of 1998-99; Haitian Uprising of 2000; Indonesian War in Aceh; Macedonian Civil War of 2001; Nepalese Insurgency of 1996; Nigerian Uprisings of 1999; Palestinian Uprising of 2000; Solomon Islands Insurrection of 1999-2003; U.S. invasion of Afghanistan; U.S. invasion of Iraq; and Uzbekistan Uprising of 2005.

Dictionary of Wars

Author: George Childs Kohn
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135954941
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 625

Book Description
Dictionary of Wars, highly praised in its first edition (1986), has now been published in a completely revised, updated, and expanded 2nd Edition. The Dictionary provides summaries of all notable wars from earliest recorded history to the present day. It affords the general reader and student with quick, useful, and accurate information - the who, where, when, what, why and how on the more than 1,800 recorded wars in human history from 2000 BC to the present. Completely updated, the Second Edition includes an additional 70 entries - on such major events as the Gulf War, the invasions of Panama and Haiti, and the Bosnian crisis.

The Last Valley

Author: Martin Windrow
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ISBN: 1780222475
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 510

Book Description
Stalingrad in the jungle: the battle that doomed the French Empire and led America into Vietnam In winter 1953-54 the French army in Vietnam challenged its elusive enemy, General Giap's Viet Minh, to pitched battle. Ten thousand French paras and légionnaires, with artillery and tanks, were flown to the remote valley of Dien Bien Phu to build a fortress upon which Giap could smash his inexperienced regiments. The siege which followed became a Stalingrad in the jungle, and its outcome shocked the world.