On the Dien Bien Phu position, facing the swarming Vietnamese soldiers, the French soldiers still maintained high morale. However, the weather had become extremely bad, and thick black clouds lingered for a long time, and aerial supplies could no longer be counted on.
This is more terrifying than anything else for the French soldiers. Logistics support is the key to any war. No one can fight on an empty stomach. The French defenders can overcome any adverse conditions, but not this one.
Dark clouds and heavy rain seemed to herald the outcome of the French garrison. Even the optimistic soldiers were not in a good mood when faced with supplies that were about to be interrupted at any time and bad weather.
The battle has now become a kind of torment. Facing the completely interrupted land passage, the French army in Hanoi has little to do, and the difficulties faced by the French are also felt by the British.
"Is there really nothing we can do?" General Bilton inevitably wanted to think of a way for the French. After all, we are all European countries.
"Except for the British troops landing in Tokyo Bay, there may be no reason for the French army to persist to the end." Alan Wilson spread his hands and made a suggestion that the UK would never approve. "But we all know that this is impossible.
Our army is not necessarily more courageous than the French army. But one thing is true, since World War I, the French have only fought hard."
Now that the Geneva Conference is convened and the French are trapped in Dien Bien Phu, how can London agree to the dispatch of British troops?
Although the British army had an advantage over the French army in some places, London would not agree.
"That's true. There's not much we can do to face this situation. But we won't choose a stupid place like Dien Bien Phu to start the war." General Bilton and Alan Wilson agreed on this point.
"There is no way. Our situation in Malaya is the same as France's in Vietnam. As a member of NATO, we have obligations to the security of Europe and cannot go all out to fight in Asia." Alan Wilson sighed.
This is also one of the difficulties faced by France. As a member of NATO and has obligations to NATO, it is difficult for France to provide a sufficient number of aircraft, especially heavy bombers, to Southeast Asia. The United States could have changed this without large-scale involvement.
The comparison of military strength between the two sides, but it refused to provide air supply support.
In fact, this is why Alan Wilson believes that the purpose of the United States is not simple. The United States can completely provide the bombers that France needs most, maintain the French air force advantage, and at least allow France to leave with dignity when it has the advantage.
The cost of providing bombers is far less than the military aid the United States provides to France. The United States chooses military aid that is more costly, but does not provide the most effective bombers. This kind of aid is very strange.
It is a pity that the British Warrior strategic bomber has just completed its acceptance inspection. Even if it is generous and willing to share the latest strategic weapons with France, it will take time to put the bomber into service. It is really impossible to help at this moment.
"If possible, the strategic bombers in service should be deployed in Malaya immediately." Through this war, Alan Wilson realized from France how important air power is.
"France's current dilemma is still in logistics. Fortunately, we have a strong navy and shipping force, and Malaya is a peninsula, which can give full play to our British advantages." General Bilton also has his own views, from the perspective of a bystander.
Look at France's predicament.
Looking specifically at the battle itself, logistical support is undoubtedly the decisive factor. In this regard, the Viet Minh clearly have an absolute advantage. Except for some food and the supplies that were later airdropped by the French into the hands of the Vietnamese, the Viet Minh needed in the battle
The supplies are all provided by China. It is difficult to determine the route for transporting these supplies because there are too many ways and they are too complicated.
The thick clouds during the rainy season also protected the Viet Minh transport convoy from attacks by French aircraft to a considerable extent, and also seriously hindered the French army from accurately airdropping supplies.
"We should consider ourselves lucky that the British troops stationed in Malaya are composed of citizens of the country." Alan Wilson also pointed out the complex ethnic problems of the French troops in Vietnam, while the British troops in Malaya did not have this problem. Malaya's
At least most of the British troops are British citizens, and only a small number are soldiers of the Nepalese battalion.
The difficulty of managing Nepali soldiers is much easier than that of North Africans in French military camps, not to mention that there are not many Nepalis.
The ultimate goal of the method discussed by the two men was not to help the French. The fundamental purpose of the discussion was to prevent France's current predicament from falling on Britain.
If France eventually had to withdraw from Indochina, Britain, which still occupied British Malaya, would inevitably feel that it was alone.
As for distant Europe, they are also looking for ways to help France out of its predicament. This time the United States is also very sincere. Even if the United States' purpose of helping France is not simple, it must perform for itself.
Because in addition to the Vietnam issue, there is also the North Korea issue, and the United States cannot express double standards at the same time at a meeting. The twenty-three countries participating in the Geneva meeting this time were naturally divided into two camps. The North Korean issue and the Vietnam issue were discussed together.
Washington's attitude is to resolutely resist suggestions such as so-called universal elections.
No matter which issue is North Korea or Vietnam, we must resolutely reject the so-called election. Because according to the current public opinion, the election is to choose the Soviet Union. Whether it is North Korea or Vietnam, a truly fair election will only drive away the power of the United States.
The UK strongly agrees with this. It also has vast colonies and is very disgusted with elections.
Britain and the United States quickly reached a consensus that anyone who dared to raise national elections to decide the future was politically incorrect and the enemy of both countries.
Although the situation in Vietnam is more urgent and the Korean War has ended, because Washington believes that the North Korean issue is more important to the United States, the final conclusion is to talk about the North Korean issue first.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Secretary of State Dulles explained the position of the United States at the meeting: "The Soviet Union's purpose has always been to turn North Korea into a satellite state and, if possible, turn them into a satellite state."
The rule of Korea extends to the entire North Korea. The United States does not want the US military to stay in North Korea indefinitely. The mutual security treaty signed by the United States and South Korea does not contain the purpose of aggression. Therefore, in order to prevent the danger of North Korea becoming a satellite state, the United States retains its local military presence.
, for the freedom of the Korean people."
"Since it is for the freedom of the Korean people, why not hold a referendum to decide the future of the Korean Peninsula?" Molotov asked rhetorically, "The Soviet Union remembers that the United States is an electoral country, why not let the Korean Peninsula
What about people deciding their own destiny?”
"This kind of demagogic propaganda is to conceal Moscow's true purpose. The U.S. military garrison is a necessary means to prevent a terrible future and maintain world peace." After Dulles finished speaking, he looked at his supporting countries.
Soon Britain and France also expressed their support for Dulles, along with the sixteen countries participating in the Geneva Conference.
"We still remember how the Soviet Union took control of Eastern European countries." British Foreign Secretary Morrison said. At this time, the United Kingdom must express its support for the United States.
Morrison avoided the suggestion of a referendum to determine the future and said to Molotov, "We are not sure whether there will be opportunities to make up for the consequences of mistakes in the future. Dulles's words are not unreasonable. Eastern European countries
There are no elections now. If the result after the first election happens to be the result that the Soviet Union hoped for, and the North Koreans regret it in the future, will there be a chance for a second referendum? Of course Mr. Molotov can deny that, just like in Finland
Just as trustworthy as the Bread Basket.”
"North Korea has ceased war, and everything has been resolved with the ceasefire. There is no need for additional discussions." U.S. Secretary of State Dulles nodded to Foreign Secretary Morrison, and then said to Molotov
, "The North Korean issue no longer needs to be discussed."
Subsequently, representatives from Australia, the Philippines, and Belgium echoed the sentiment, all expressing their rejection of Molotov's suggestion.
"I think since there is no consensus, it is better to adjourn the meeting temporarily. Now that the positions of both sides have been stated, they need time to consider." Foreign Secretary Morrison, who presided over the meeting, said calmly, "If no one has any opinions,
,Ok, deal."
Soon, representatives from various countries left the venue one after another. Morrison summoned Ismay, the permanent undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and said, "You can find a less formal occasion to talk to the Chinese. We in the UK do not
If it is contradictory, of course we must make our position clear. We are definitely on the side of the United States, but it does not mean that we are hostile to China."
"Yes, minister!" Sir Ismay frowned and whispered, "In fact, we also need their help with the Vietnam issue."
"I was about to talk to George Pidour about this matter." Morrison nodded and said, "This matter cannot be separated from China."
The Korean War was over, and Morrison didn't know why Dulles put the Korean issue at the forefront of the discussion. Now it was obvious that the Vietnam issue facing the French was more urgent.
There is no way, Washington thinks North Korea is important, so forget it, but the problem is that it cannot form an overwhelming advantage. Although due to some factors, most countries firmly support the United States. The referendum issue can be avoided, in this case
Such double standards in an important meeting are too low.
After meeting George Pidoul, Morrison also expressed his disapproval of the United States. Although on another occasion, he and Dulles might have ridiculed France, but there was no need for George Pidoul to know this assumption.
The result of sexual problems.
"The key to Vietnam's withdrawal lies in reaching a consensus with China. Vietnam's attitude is not important." Morrison informed George Pidour of the remarks from the mysterious power in the East.