"The Tunnels of Cu Chi in the French-Indochina War" Topic
11 Posts
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| Cuchulainn | 16 Feb 2015 4:45 p.m. PST |
I've never thought of this before, but how – or did – the French try to counter the tunnel network at Cu Chi when fighting the Viet Minh? I've read quite a bit on the US and allies efforts at trying to combat them, but I've never came across anything to even mention if the French were aware of their existence. However exist they did, although not as extensively as during the Second Indochina War, and it's something I would like to try to find out a little more about. Thanks all! :O) |
| T Labienus | 20 Feb 2015 6:58 a.m. PST |
Hi Cuchulainn,
the tunnels were no more then 20 or 25 km long during the Indochina War, they were mostly hiding-place for partisans, weapons and ammunitions. During the Vietnam War, there were more than 250 km long, there is no comparison… link |
| T Labienus | 20 Feb 2015 7:26 a.m. PST |
Hi again Cuchulainn
here is another picture of french "commando de marine" filling with smoke a tunnel.
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| Cuchulainn | 20 Feb 2015 4:13 p.m. PST |
Excellent photos T Labienus, thanks very much for posting them. So it looks like the CEFEO wouldn't have bothered with "Tunnel Rats" type volunteers. It's a shame the US war in Vietnam seems to dominate the English works, as the French war is a really interesting period. The only books I have are Street Without Joy and Hell In A Very Small Place by Bernard Fall, and The Emancipation of French Indochina by Donald Lancaster. The latter I have yet to read, although it's supposed to be an excellent book with eyewitness accounts which can't be found in English anywhere else. If you happen to have any other little titbits of information you would like to share on the French-Indochina War, I'll appreciate anything you care to share with me. |
| T Labienus | 23 Feb 2015 1:55 p.m. PST |
Hi Cuchulainn, Here's a link to an interesting documentary about the Indochina War, the films are from the french army : The text is a good explanation of the war, without propaganda, but in french. The pictures are "sensationnelles": YouTube link |
| T Labienus | 23 Feb 2015 2:04 p.m. PST |
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| T Labienus | 23 Feb 2015 2:09 p.m. PST |
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| T Labienus | 23 Feb 2015 2:26 p.m. PST |
If you are about to set a campaign in this period and this area, you must use this : link The puzzle will create a gamming matt or an "atmosphère" if
put on the wall of your wargame room…
Loïc ;-) |
| Thomas Nissvik | 24 Feb 2015 4:54 a.m. PST |
A wealth of good stuff from Labenius, thank you!
The map link is brilliant. For anyone else who is into lost causes, Dien Bien Phu is on map no 9.
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| Cuchulainn | 24 Feb 2015 6:22 a.m. PST |
Excellent T Labienus, thank you so very, very much! :o) Unfortunately I'm stuck at work right now, and as I can't access those links from the office, I'm going to have to try to be patient until I get home. |
| Skarper | 24 Feb 2015 9:59 a.m. PST |
Great link – T Lab…thanks |
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