Lessons From the Indo-China War | Part II

... issued by the Supreme Command, Far East, May 31, 1955. In retrospect a very detailed study (nearly 400 pages!). This paper itself leads to the correct conclusions, but nobody seems to have cared reading it. Hindsight 20/20 ... Still. A must read for those of you who want to know more detailed background information about the struggle in French-Indochina.

The Tightrope | French Colonial Collapse

... and the Shaping of Cold War Europe, a Master's Thesis by Major Donald J. Thompson, U.S. ARNG. From the introduction of this amazingly interesting read... At the end of World War II, France was much weaker than it had been before the start of the war; however, France still had a role within the U.S.-dominated Western alliance standing against Soviet expansion. Nevertheless, the French leadership chose to engage what remained of their national power in the reestablishment of their overseas colonial empire. France's preoccupation with the reestablishment of its colonial empire was strategically important to the structure of the post-World War II security environment because it amounted to a direct competition to its obligations for the defence of Europe.

CS Vietnam Preview | The Battle of Nà Sản

In late 1952, in a bid to block the advance of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam’s (DRV) army into northwestern Vietnam and Laos, General Raoul Salan transformed Na San, a small upland village located along the Lao border, into a major entrenched position. Some 20,000 men were transferred to Na San to turn it into a “usine de guerre fabuleuse pour l’époque”. At the height of the work, Dakota planes were landing or taking off every 15 minutes. The French dug trenches, installed heavy artillery, and built an airbase to supply the camp from afar. A defensive fortress, supplied by air, was thus waiting for the Vietnamese when they attacked. General Vo Nguyen Giap was confident that he could take the isolated camp and consolidate his hold over strategically important Tai regions in north-western Vietnam and northern Laos. He had taken Nghia Lo from the French earlier that year; he counted on doing the same at Na San. However, his intelligence services failed to provide him with accurate information on the new type of defensive war Salan was preparing for him in Na San. On 30 November, Vo Nguyen Giap sent waves of his troops from the 308th and 312th divisions against the camp.

CS Vietnam | Operation Starlite

Another preview of some maps for Campaign Series - Vietnam in the making. There're more sneak previews of maps at The Campaign Series Facebook page an, naturally some information about Operation Starlite when you follow the link.

CS Vietnam | Battle of Mao Khé

In the second attack of his general counter-offensive, Vietnamese General Vo Nguyen Giap targets a French outpost near Haiphong in what becomes known as the Battle of Mao Khé. After days of bloody, sometimes hand-to-hand, fighting Giap withdraws.

The Decline and Fall of Colonial Vietnam

Another interesting find on the web while researching material, resources and book reviews for scenario ideas for Campaign Series Vietnam.

US Order of Battle | CSVN

Just a teaser this time, really. Have a look how much dedicated research went, and still goes, into the upcoming Campaign Series Vietnam project. While we are on the subject... There's an interesting C-Span Video that sheds some light on the U.S. Military Strategy in Vietnam.

CS Vietnam Web Survey - Your feedback appreciated!

Before we continue our small tutorial in Algeria, have a look at the web survey about what the development team of CS Legion can do in order to present you with another tactical wargaming experience of excellence. Ready? Just click here to go to the survey.