[Palle]

Fall was a great writer.

The war in Indochina was largely characterised by improvisations, JU-52 were often used as improvised bombers also, etc.. And it is typical of it that only when America started funding the war did the CEFEO get modern weapons. It is ironic that after the Communists winning the Civil War in China, and especially after they drove the UN forces back in Korea and channeled much of the captured equipment to the Viet Minh, the latter were often better equipped than the CEFEO.

scJAZZ, there is a typo involved there. Vien Yen and Tien Yen is the same place, but the battle raged from the 13th Jan 1951 to the 18th Jan 1951 (IIRC it was the 18th, but in reality it was over with the massacre on the 16th). Napalm was used before, but only late in 1950 and only in small quantities.

This is one battle where I do not envy the Viet Minh, going up against two entrenched Groupement Mobiles consisting of legionnairres with a third in reserve. Giap was good at guerrilla, in fact he was brilliant at it. But "normal" warfare he was far surpassed by the French and man for man, the core of the French troops were much better than even the Chu luc. And de Lattre de Tassigny was a special kind of soldier.

Anyway, yes Helldivers, Hellcats and Bearcats were carrier-based. The ones from Arromanches earned immortal fame for their courage and recklessness in support of Dien Bien Phu. Often flying at only a few meters height while strafing the Viets. The garission noted a lack of the same daredevil dedication from the airforce. But then again, carrier pilots were always a special breed.

Merry XMas BTW.