Alternate History Project

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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.

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1950 Continued
Viet Minh conventional forces withdraw to the northern borderlands and to sanctuaries in China to rebuild, while continuing guerilla activity. Construction of the De Lattre line to secure the Red River Delta begins, along with efforts to establish the Vietnamese National Army as an effective military force. This effort is assisted by generous material support from the United States. French diplomacy, rising anti-communist sentiment, and the escalating conflict in Korea serve to encourage increased American involvement.
French launch a series of offensives into Viet Minh territory, seeking to bring them to battle. Though never completely satisfactory, these offensives do serve to prevent the Viet Minh from building up their conventional forces.
(In our timeline, the Viet Minh began attempting conventional operations in 1950, helped in large part by materiel captured in the battles of Cao Bang and the RC 4. In this timeline, that windfall of materiel is not available, and the VMs conventional forces suffer a series of major defeats in the premature Rice Offensive. In addition, the CEFEO forces that were lost in our timeline are still intact and under more aggressive leadership.)

[lew]

What kinda vote to the chicoms get once they get their house in-order?

What's the US position beyond material and technical aid? Would that change if the Chinese get frisky?

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The Chinese connection would depend on how things in Korea are going. If UN forces were hard pressed or if they become even more aggressive towards Taiwan, the French might be able to sell the idea of using Indochina as a second front. Perhaps if McArthur retains command instead of getting sacked by Truman.

Beyond overseas concerns, US involvement is heavily influenced by domestic political opinion. If McCarthy connects anti-Communist sentiment to US involvement in Indochina, the Congresscritters on Capitol Hill may urge greater involvement.

For now, I would say that the US is content to provide logistics, arms and materiel. Outfits like Civil Air Transport may play a more prominent role in augmenting the French airlift capacity. As a twist, CAT personnel may get credit towards their USAF promotions and retirements while working in Indochina.