Post by topbreak on Feb 7, 2022 10:19:35 GMT -5
Well, as John Cleese famously announced in a Monty Python sketch,
"Now for something completely different."
This is a an Alternate History project, and since it involves Indochina and Algeria, it only seems appropriate to hash it out here, for the very basic reason that there's a large number of members who know more about it than I do.
1947
Operation Lea. French offensive into the Viet Bac region. Ho Chi Minh killed by French paratroops.
(In our timeline, Ho and other Viet Minh leaders narrowly escape.)
Viet Minh operating from sanctuaries in China begin ambushing road traffic along the RC 4.
1949
General Allesandri's efforts to secure the Red River Delta prompt Giap to launch his ill-fated Rice Offensive. Viet Minh suffer considerable losses in a series of attacks on French positions in the Red River Delta. The defeat of Giap's conventional forces is partly offset by the panic generated by a series of spectacular terrorist attacks on targets in Hanoi and Haiphong.
(In our timeline, while facing desperate shortages, Giap does not attempt any offensive actions against the French in the Delta.)
In response to the growing panic among colons in Indochina and politicians in Paris, General de Lattre is appointed to military and civil command in Indochina. In an effort to challenge Viet Minh activities along the frontier, the Groupements de Commandos Mixtes Aeroportes are established. Inspired by the WWII Special Operations Executive and the Jedburgh teams, the GCMAs would form maquis groups to disrupt Viet Minh operations.
(In our timeline, de Lattre does not take command until December 1950. The GCMAs were not established until 1951.)
1950
In an effort to consolidate French forces for more aggressive operations, de Lattre reluctantly orders a withdrawal of French forces from the RC 4. Despite near constant Viet Minh harassment, French forces complete the withdrawal of troops and materiel successfully.
That's what I have so far. Thoughts and feedback are welcome, in addition to other details to flesh out the project.
"Now for something completely different."
This is a an Alternate History project, and since it involves Indochina and Algeria, it only seems appropriate to hash it out here, for the very basic reason that there's a large number of members who know more about it than I do.
1947
Operation Lea. French offensive into the Viet Bac region. Ho Chi Minh killed by French paratroops.
(In our timeline, Ho and other Viet Minh leaders narrowly escape.)
Viet Minh operating from sanctuaries in China begin ambushing road traffic along the RC 4.
1949
General Allesandri's efforts to secure the Red River Delta prompt Giap to launch his ill-fated Rice Offensive. Viet Minh suffer considerable losses in a series of attacks on French positions in the Red River Delta. The defeat of Giap's conventional forces is partly offset by the panic generated by a series of spectacular terrorist attacks on targets in Hanoi and Haiphong.
(In our timeline, while facing desperate shortages, Giap does not attempt any offensive actions against the French in the Delta.)
In response to the growing panic among colons in Indochina and politicians in Paris, General de Lattre is appointed to military and civil command in Indochina. In an effort to challenge Viet Minh activities along the frontier, the Groupements de Commandos Mixtes Aeroportes are established. Inspired by the WWII Special Operations Executive and the Jedburgh teams, the GCMAs would form maquis groups to disrupt Viet Minh operations.
(In our timeline, de Lattre does not take command until December 1950. The GCMAs were not established until 1951.)
1950
In an effort to consolidate French forces for more aggressive operations, de Lattre reluctantly orders a withdrawal of French forces from the RC 4. Despite near constant Viet Minh harassment, French forces complete the withdrawal of troops and materiel successfully.
That's what I have so far. Thoughts and feedback are welcome, in addition to other details to flesh out the project.