Post by lirelou on Dec 9, 2009 21:10:29 GMT -5
I have approximately four shelves of books on the First Indochina War, starting with Larteguy's first novel "Sang sur la Coline" reprinted as "Les Mercenaires" back in the 60s. The very best books, which should be considered for your bookshelves are:
3e BCCP Indochine 1948-1950, by Cyril Bondroit (son of a 3e BCCP vet) Ed. Indochine: A vertable gold mine of information, though at times repetitive. 5 stars
Paras d'Indochine 1944-1954 by Jean-Pierre Pissardy (Soc. de Production Literraire - SPL- 1982) 2 volumes. the premier work on French Airborne in Indochina, enjoying a greater degree of respect among French airborne historians than Paul Gaujac's also excellent two volume work by SPL, "Histoire des Parachutistes Francais" both are 5 stars.
Commandos Nord-Vietnam 1951-1954 by Pissardy (Ed. Indochine 1999, Cyril Bondroit editor.) The only comprehensive work on this subject in any language, and absolutely first rate. Includes actual TOEs and manning lists, and gives both a general history, and the history of every commando in Tonkin. (Does not cover commandos in the GCMA, or Central of South Vietnam, except by exceptional mention.) 5 platinum stars plus!
Vandenberghe Le Commando des Tigres Noirs bu Charles-Henry de Pirey, who served as a Cavalryman in Indochina, once supported by Vandenberghe. I believe that this is the only bio of "Vanden" in existence, but very well written with some good photos. Also includes a photo of his 2IC, Sgt Tran Dinh Vy, who rose to Colonel in the ARVN, spent ten years in re-education, and upon his release went to France, where he was appointed a LTC in the Foreign Legion, retiring from the Legion as a Colonel in the early '90s.
Services Speciaux - Armes Techniques Missions - GCMA - Indochine 1950/54 by Commandant Raymond Muelle and Eric Deroo (Editions Crepin-LeBlond 1992) A very good treatise of the subject with photos, maps, plates. Very good for the reenactor in that it shows the variety of arms, kit, and weapons used. Four stars, maybe four and a half. While it covers the 'antennas" and guerrilla warfare operational areas very well, I would have given five stars if it had included unit histories of the various commandos within the GCMA.
Les Linh Tap Histoire des Militaires Indochinois au service de la France (1859-1960) by Maurice Rives and Eric Deroo (Lavauzelle 1999). The only general history on this subject, of more interest to the historian, though there are many excellent photos which cannot be obtained elsewhere, particularly of the "Commando d'Extreme-Orient" aka Commando Dam San, the only Indochinese unit which fought in Algeria.
Finally, for the Vietnamese dabbler, or surfer who might like to know of the ARVN ever published a history of that war. They did, and much was drawn from French sources, though edited with their own notes and point of view. If your city has a Vietnamese book store, they might be able to dig you up a copy of Volume 4 (Quan Su 4), QUAN LUC VIET NAM CONG HOA Trong Giai Doan Hinh Thanh 1946-1955 (Dainam publishing house, Taiwan ROC, 1972) 3 stars. Photosd are B&W, poor quality. Maps are not great, but a treasure house of info. For instance, when the 3rd ARVN Para Bn was formed, slightly more than half of its members were French Paras on the downhill slope of their 27 month tour, and the remainder were ethnic Vietnamese. Of course, within a bit more than a year, the majority were ARVNs.
Enjoy
3e BCCP Indochine 1948-1950, by Cyril Bondroit (son of a 3e BCCP vet) Ed. Indochine: A vertable gold mine of information, though at times repetitive. 5 stars
Paras d'Indochine 1944-1954 by Jean-Pierre Pissardy (Soc. de Production Literraire - SPL- 1982) 2 volumes. the premier work on French Airborne in Indochina, enjoying a greater degree of respect among French airborne historians than Paul Gaujac's also excellent two volume work by SPL, "Histoire des Parachutistes Francais" both are 5 stars.
Commandos Nord-Vietnam 1951-1954 by Pissardy (Ed. Indochine 1999, Cyril Bondroit editor.) The only comprehensive work on this subject in any language, and absolutely first rate. Includes actual TOEs and manning lists, and gives both a general history, and the history of every commando in Tonkin. (Does not cover commandos in the GCMA, or Central of South Vietnam, except by exceptional mention.) 5 platinum stars plus!
Vandenberghe Le Commando des Tigres Noirs bu Charles-Henry de Pirey, who served as a Cavalryman in Indochina, once supported by Vandenberghe. I believe that this is the only bio of "Vanden" in existence, but very well written with some good photos. Also includes a photo of his 2IC, Sgt Tran Dinh Vy, who rose to Colonel in the ARVN, spent ten years in re-education, and upon his release went to France, where he was appointed a LTC in the Foreign Legion, retiring from the Legion as a Colonel in the early '90s.
Services Speciaux - Armes Techniques Missions - GCMA - Indochine 1950/54 by Commandant Raymond Muelle and Eric Deroo (Editions Crepin-LeBlond 1992) A very good treatise of the subject with photos, maps, plates. Very good for the reenactor in that it shows the variety of arms, kit, and weapons used. Four stars, maybe four and a half. While it covers the 'antennas" and guerrilla warfare operational areas very well, I would have given five stars if it had included unit histories of the various commandos within the GCMA.
Les Linh Tap Histoire des Militaires Indochinois au service de la France (1859-1960) by Maurice Rives and Eric Deroo (Lavauzelle 1999). The only general history on this subject, of more interest to the historian, though there are many excellent photos which cannot be obtained elsewhere, particularly of the "Commando d'Extreme-Orient" aka Commando Dam San, the only Indochinese unit which fought in Algeria.
Finally, for the Vietnamese dabbler, or surfer who might like to know of the ARVN ever published a history of that war. They did, and much was drawn from French sources, though edited with their own notes and point of view. If your city has a Vietnamese book store, they might be able to dig you up a copy of Volume 4 (Quan Su 4), QUAN LUC VIET NAM CONG HOA Trong Giai Doan Hinh Thanh 1946-1955 (Dainam publishing house, Taiwan ROC, 1972) 3 stars. Photosd are B&W, poor quality. Maps are not great, but a treasure house of info. For instance, when the 3rd ARVN Para Bn was formed, slightly more than half of its members were French Paras on the downhill slope of their 27 month tour, and the remainder were ethnic Vietnamese. Of course, within a bit more than a year, the majority were ARVNs.
Enjoy
