Chapter 756 The problem is not Vietnam

In their position at Dien Bien Phu, the French soldiers remained in high spirits in the face of the swarming Vietnamese soldiers. But the weather had gotten so bad that heavy black clouds persisted, and air supplies could no longer be counted on at all.

This was more frightening than anything else for the French soldiers, logistics is the key to any war, no one can fight hungry, any unfavorable conditions can be overcome by the French defenders, but not on this point.

Dark clouds and torrential rain seemed to predict the outcome of the French defenders, even in the optimistic soldiers, the face of anytime to interrupt the supply, as well as the bad weather, the mood will not be good up.

The battle has now become an ordeal, in the face of the land passage has been completely interrupted, Hanoi’s French troops can not do much, and the French face the plight of the British empathy.

“Is there really nothing that can be done?” General Bilton also inevitably wanted to think of a solution for the French, at least we are all European countries.

“There’s probably no reason for the French to hold out to the end now, other than the British landing in Tokyo Bay.” Alan Wilson spread his hands and made a suggestion that Britain would never recognize “But we all know that it’s impossible. Our Army is not necessarily more courageous than the French. But one thing is true, since World War I the French have been left fighting hard.”

Now that the Geneva Conference was taking place and the French were stuck at Dien Bien Phu, how could London agree to the British army being sent out?

Even though the British army had an advantage over the French army in some places, London would not agree to it.

“That’s true, there’s not much we can do in the face of this situation. But we would not have chosen such a stupid spot as Dien Bien Phu to go to war.” General Bilton agreed with Allen Wilson on this point.

“It can’t be helped, we’re in the same situation in Malaya as France was in Vietnam, and as a member of NATO we have an obligation to the security of Europe, and it’s impossible to come to war in Asia at full strength.” Alan Wilson said with a sigh.

This was one of the dilemmas France faced, as a NATO member with obligations to NATO, it was difficult for France to supply Southeast Asia with sufficient numbers of aircraft, especially heavy bombers. The U.S. could have changed the contrast in military power between the two sides without getting massively involved, but it refused to provide air supply support.

In fact, this is the point at which Allen Wilson argues that the U.S. purpose was not pure. The U.S. could well have provided the bombers France needed most to maintain control of the French advantage, or at least to allow France to leave with dignity when it had the upper hand.

And the cost of providing the bombers was far less than the US military aid for France. It would be very strange for the US to choose military aid that costs more, but only not give the most effective bombers.

Unfortunately, Britain’s Warrior strategic bomber, which had only just completed its acceptance, even if it was a generous reason to share the latest strategic weapon with France, it would still take time to get the bomber into service, and at the moment it really couldn’t help.

“If possible, the strategic bombers in service, should be immediately deployed in Malaya.” Alan Wilson realized from France through this war, how important air power is.

“France’s present dilemma is still logistical. Fortunately, we have a strong navy and sea power, and Malaya is a peninsula that can play to our British strengths.” General Bilton also had his own take on the plight of France from the perspective of a bystander.

Looking specifically at the battle itself, logistics were undoubtedly the decisive factor, and in this respect the Viet Minh clearly had the overwhelming advantage. With the exception of some foodstuffs and supplies later dropped by the French into Vietnamese hands, all the supplies needed by the Viet Minh during the campaign were supplied by China. The routes by which these supplies were delivered were difficult to determine because the pathways were too numerous and complex.

Thick cloud cover during the rainy season also protected VC transports to a considerable extent from French planes, and also seriously hampered the accurate airdrop of supplies by the French.

“What we should feel camped is that the British forces in Malaya were composed of citizens of the country.” Alan Wilson also pointed out the complex ethnic problems of the French forces in Vietnam, which the British forces in Malaya did not have. The British Army in Malaya was at least mostly British citizens, with only a small number of Nepalese battalions.

Nepalese soldiers could be much easier to manage than the North Africans in the French battalions, not to mention that there weren’t many Nepalese.

The two men discussed ways to help the French in the end, and the underlying purpose of the discussion was still to not let France’s current predicament fall on Britain.

Inevitably, Britain, still occupying British Malaya, would feel alone if France eventually had to withdraw from the Middle South.

As for distant Europe, it is also trying to find ways to help France out of its predicament. This time the United States is also very sincere, even if the United States to help France’s purpose is not pure, but for their own sake also have to show.

Because in addition to the Vietnam issue, there was also a North Korea issue, and the U.S. could not express double standards at the same time in one meeting. This time the twenty-three countries participating in the Geneva conference, rightfully divided into two camps, the Korean issue and the Vietnam issue colleagues to discuss.

Washington’s attitude is to take a firm resistance to proposals like the so-called universal suffrage. Regardless of which issue it is, North Korea or Vietnam, the so-called election should be firmly rejected. Because with current public opinion, an election is a choice for the Soviet Union, and a really fair election, whether it’s North Korea or Vietnam, would only drive out American power.

This was strongly favored by Britain, which still had vast colonies and was very sick of any election.

Britain and the United States quickly came to a consensus that anyone who dared to mention national elections to determine the future was politically incorrect and an enemy of both Britain and the United States.

Although the situation in Vietnam was more pressing and the Korean War was over, the final conclusion was to talk about Korea first because Washington considered the Korean issue a little more important to the United States.

Secretary of State Dulles stated the U.S. position at the meeting, “It has always been the aim of the Soviet Union to turn North Korea into a satellite state and, if possible, to extend their rule over all of Korea. The United States, on the other hand, does not want U.S. troops to remain in North Korea indefinitely, and the Mutual Security Treaty between the United States and South Korea does not contain an aggressive purpose. So in order to prevent the danger of North Korea becoming a satellite state, the U.S. retains a garrison there for the sake of the freedom of the Korean people.”

“If it’s for the freedom of the Korean people, why don’t we have a referendum to decide the future of the Korean peninsula?” Molotov spoke salaciously, “The Soviet Union remembers that the United States is an electoral state, so why not let the people of the Korean Peninsula decide their own destiny?”

“This kind of demagogic propaganda is designed to conceal Moscow’s true aims. And the U.S. military presence is necessary to prevent a terrible future from emerging and to maintain world peace.” Dulles looked to his supporting countries after he finished speaking.

Soon Britain and France followed suit, along with the sixteen nations attending the Geneva Conference expressing their support for Dulles.

“We remember how the Soviet Union’s control of the Eastern European countries happened.” British Foreign Secretary Morrison spoke up, a time when Britain had to express its support for the United States.

Morrison sidestepped the suggestion of a referendum to decide the future, and gushed at Molotov, “We cannot be sure that there will be a chance to make amends later if there are consequences of a mistake. Dulles’ words are not without merit, Eastern European countries are now all without elections, if after one election it happens to turn out the way the USSR wants it to, will there be a chance for a second referendum if the North Koreans regret it later? Of course Mr. Molotov can deny it as plausibly as the Finnish breadbasket did in the first place.”

“There is an armistice in Korea, everything has come to fruition with the armistice, there is no need for additional discussion.” U.S. Secretary of State Dulles nodded at Foreign Secretary Morrison and then rushed to Molotov, “The Korean issue no longer needs to be discussed.”

The representatives of Australia, the Philippines, and Belgium then chimed in, all expressing their rejection of Molotov’s proposal.

“I think since there is no consensus, we might as well adjourn the meeting for the time being. Now that the positions of both sides have been stated, they both need time to consider them.” Foreign Minister Morrison, who was presiding over the meeting, spoke unhurriedly, “If everyone has no comments, it’s settled.”

Soon, the representatives of the various countries left the meeting, Morrison summoned over the permanent undersecretary of the foreign ministry, Ismay, and opened his mouth to instruct, “You can find a less formal occasion to talk to the Chinese. We Britain itself is not contradictory, of course, to state our position, we certainly stand on the side of the United States, but it does not mean that there is hostility towards China.”

“Yes, Minister!” Sir Ismay frowned and whispered, “Actually, we need their help on Vietnam as well.”

“I was just about to talk to George Pidur about that.” Morrison nodded and said, “This matter cannot be separated from China either.”

The Korean War had already ended, and Morrison didn’t know why Dulles had put the North Korean issue in front of the discussion, and now it was obvious that the French were facing the Vietnam issue a little more urgently.

But there is no way, Washington believes that North Korea is important, which is also even, but the problem is that it has not been able to form an overwhelming advantage. Although in some factors on the consideration, most countries are firmly in favor of the United States. But avoiding the referendum issue and being so double standard in such an important meeting, the standard is also a little too low.

After meeting George Pidur, Morrison also expressed his spitefulness toward the United States. Although it is possible that on another occasion, he would have sneered at France with Dulles, but then, George Pidur did not need to know the outcome of such a hypothetical.

“The key to pulling out of Vietnam is to have a consensus with China that Vietnam’s attitude is not important.” Morrison informed Georges Pidoule of the remarks from the mysterious forces of the East.