The Japanese attacked and captured what French troops and administrators remained in Indochina in March 1945, and the order was executed to the letter. The French in Indochina were abandoned by their allies and their own government in France, which had begun to negotiate an accord with the Japanese. The French ambassador in Washington wired Catroux that his request for 120 modern fighter planes had been turned down by Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles, because the United States did not believe it could enter into conflict with Japan. The French had fought a short but bloody war with the Japanese in September 1940, before the Japanese ultimatum. Insights from Chapter 16 Insights from Chapter 1 But the Viet-Minh had had about ten months in which to establish their administration, train their forces with Japanese and American weapons, and terrorize or kill the genuine Vietnamese nationalists who wanted a Viet-Nam independent from France. #4 The French expeditionary force of less than two divisions was allowed to re-enter North Viet-Nam in February 1946 under the terms of an agreement negotiated by the French with the Viet-Minh.

The spell of French overlordship in Indochina was broken forever. #3 The Japanese forced the Emperor of Annam to proclaim the end of the French protectorate and the independence of his country under Japanese protection. #2 The French in Indochina were abandoned by their allies and their own government in France, which had begun to negotiate an accord with the Japanese. #1 The French had fought a short but bloody war with the Japanese in September 1940, before the Japanese ultimatum.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

Street Without Joy by Bernard B. Fall