France's War in Indochina: Volume 1 - The Tiger Versus the Elephant, 1946-1949

(Paperback)

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If America's attempt to push back communism in Vietnam is undoubtedly the most well-known of Asian wars, it was preceded by a conflict fought by French and Vietnamese forces that resulted in the death of over 75,000 members of France's armed forces from December 1946 to July 1954. The First Indochina War being a particularly savage conflict, it was fought by the French for similar reasons as the United States some years later. Armed forces led by Ho Chi Minh sought to impose communist doctrines in Vietnam, a move seen as unacceptable by France, and one that warranted a large-scale military encounter. Indeed, Vietnam was considered by the French as an integral part of Indochina, and France itself. The spread of communism in Indochina was not to be permitted, and neither were Ho Chi Minh's attempts to gain independence for Vietnam through this means. The first in a three-part series, this volume looks at what is generally seen as the first phase of the First Indochina War, a period that lasted from 1946 to 1949. Drawing on a variety of historical documents, this volume enables the reader to gain an historical perspective of the French presence in Vietnam, US support for France, the ideology and methodology of insurgents in Vietnam, as well as providing a detailed account of the battles, tactics, strategies, machines, and men that were used by both sides to further their objectives during the conflict. AUTHOR: Stephen Edward Rookes is originally from Exeter in the UK, Dr. Stephen Rookes is a French writer and academic who earned his PhD from the University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurs, France. He specialises in the history of Cuban exiles and takes a particular interest in the CIA's covert operations in Central America and in Africa. This is his second instalment for Helion's @War series. 110 b/w photos, 35 colour profiles & figures, 5 maps, 2 diagrams, 6 tables

Reviews

"The modeling perspective is quite diverse. There are French aircraft, armored vehicles, and ships, along with entries from Britain, Germany, Japan, and the US."-- "IPMS/USA"
"Besides its well-researched narrative, it is richly illustrated and filled with plentiful photographs and maps. Most impor-tantly, Rookes has provided an understanding of how the Indochina War came about, years before it evolved into the 'American War'."-- "The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation"
"... a very interesting book with insights into how French forces dealt with Viet Minh tactics and strategies, anticipating almost the same problems faced by American forces in Vietnam nearly twenty years later."-- "The VVA Veteran"
"It provides a great intro into what became decades of warfare in Indochina."-- "ModelingMadness.com"
"...will be of great interest to modelers and historians alike."-- "AMPS Indianapolis"

Author Bio

Stephen Edward Rookes is originally from Exeter in the UK, Dr. Stephen Rookes is a French writer and academic who earned his PhD from the University of Toulouse Jean-Jaures, France. He specialises in the history of Cuban exiles and takes a particular interest in the CIA's covert operations in Central America and in Africa. This is his second instalment for Helion's @War series.