The Valley of Death by Ted Morgan

[Legion Etrangere]

This is turning into an incredible read. I like Morgan's use of the 1955 investigation into DBP as post-mortem analysis every couple of paragraphs. You instantly get an idea of the problematic nature of command and logistics.

I never knew that de Castries had rescinded his order to retake Gabrielle and instead turned it into a linking operation between what was left in the CR and what Hervoet's tanks and the BPVN were able to link up with. A classical case of poor leadership (at least from the perspective of Morgan's book). Not to mention the professional hatred between Langlais and de Castries.

I like the way Morgan writes. It's simple, but with a touch of perferated acidic humor; whenever he gets a chance he provides some type of candor about the situation at hand or humorous anecdote.

I found this incredible: "... the survivors off Gabrielle who had been at Stalingrad said it was like Stalingrad. The Algerians who were at Monte Cassino said it was like Monte Cassino."

Attachments:

[hoover]

I don´t know this book yet.

When it was published (so on what years the information are founding?)

[Legion Etrangere]

From Amazon.com:

www.amazon.com/Valley-Death-Tragedy-America-Vietnam/dp/1400066646/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329951275&sr=8-1

[hoover]

Got my copy today!

First look: Impressive!

30 € including shipping. Seems to be worth the money.

[Legion Etrangere]

Hoover,

Good deal. I think you might find some interesting things in there, that didnt appear in either Roy or Fall's account (unless you count the footnotes). I like Morgan's use of the 1955 inquiry as fallback to various decisions made during the course of the battle. Its a horrific case of Monday-morning quarterbacking, but a damn good use of the material!

Mick