The end of one war, the beginning of another war

This final episode dealing with the Geneva Peace conference which ended the First Indochina War, with the agreement to divide Vietnam into two.  A short history of North Vietnam between 1954 and 1957.  Then a look at South Vietnam under the leadership of Diem from 1954 to his murder in 1963.  A biography of Diem.

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To be published on Saturday 3rd March

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu part six

General Giap orders the Viet Minh army to attack the French garrison on May 1st 1954, within a few days the French base is captured.  General Navarre the commander of the French Army in Indochina is replaced by General Ely, a biography of the new General.  The French Government of Laniel falls and he is replaced by Pierre Mendes France who promises to end the war in Indochina.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu part five

The Viet Minh took some weeks to restock their supply of Artillery and Mortar shells and received new recruits into their infantry to replace the losses they had suffered.  A biography of Colonel An who would become the new commander of the Viet Minh 174th Regiment.  There was a growing problem of French troops deserting within the Dien Bien Phu garrison.  However the French retake the hill position of Elaine One.

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu part four

Colonel Langlais becomes the effective commander of the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu in all but name, a biography of him.  On March 30th the Viet Minh attack the Dominque and Elaine positions on the eastern side of the French defences, the Viet Minh capture three hills.  The French position of Isabelle to the south is cut off.  Relations between the two most senior French commanders in North Vietnam General Navarre and Cogny grow worse.

To be published on Saturday 10th February.  The RSS link can be found in the show notes for episode 2.11