Simon Huston

French Indochina War: Reflections for Strategic Resilience (Pearl Orient, #1) (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

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 cause the cathartic 1954 French defeat. Pre-conditions include the illegitimacy of the colonial regime and repression that polarises nationalist sentiment. Economically, pernicious terms of trade suppress industrialisation but oil speculation until suddenly reversed by devaluation in 1953 that reflects the financial disengagement of France but increased American involvement. Vacillating metropolitan politics and the dubious colonial regime of the 'night club' Emperor, Bảo Ðại, fuel political instability. Militarily, after the disastrous evacuation of the RC4 in 1950, Việt Minh men and supplies pour across the Chinese frontier. In 1954, financial constraints and the looming international peace conference catalyse Navarre, the new French commander, to gamble on a battle of attrition. He tries to distract the Việt Minh and bet that they will be unable drag artillery to the remote jungle outpost of Diên Biên Phú, but he underestimates their focus, determination, strength, and adaptability. In early December partisans resent the bungled evacuation of Lai Châu. The entrenched camp's defences are inadequate and neither 141,500 artillery rounds, infantry sorties nor napalm suppress VM guns, entrenched in the surrounding jungle-clad hills. The French aero-logistical sub-system is overstretched, its pilots worn out and significant parachute supplies fall into enemy hands. Navarre scatters his reserves on a futile and remote side show, Operation Atlante. The Americans, although financing, supplying and covertly assisting the French, prevaricate. Without British support, Congress declines to unleash their B29 fleet. 'Iacta alea est' or 'ἀνερρίφθω κύβος' - let the die be cast.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Simon Huston
• Erscheinungstermin: 4. Juli 2021
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9798201521110
• Artikelnr.: 62201880

Autorenporträt

Author, academic, analyst, accountant. Multidisciplinary research, involving strategy, performance management, sustainable investment, built environments and learning. Thesis in Geographical Science from the University of Queensland (2010). Served as a military medic/paratrooper/reconnaissance driver in Djibouti, Central Africa and Chad. Studied Economics at LSE and Environmental Management at Durham University. Worked as an accountant for Deloitte in UK. Taught across the education spectrum in Kenya and the Middle East (UAE, KSA, Oman). Worked as a commercial analyst for Queensland Government. Subsequently, lectured Real Estate and Accountancy at The University of Queensland and three UK universities, including Coventry.