Chapter 756 The Problem Is Not Vietnam

On the Dien Bien Phu position, facing the swarming Vietnamese soldiers, the French soldiers still maintained high morale. However, the weather has become extremely bad, and the thick black clouds persist for a long time, making it impossible to rely on aerial supplies.

This is more terrifying than anything else for the French soldiers. Logistics support is the key to any war. No one can fight hungry. The French defenders can overcome any adverse conditions, but not this.

Dark clouds and heavy rain seemed to indicate the outcome of the French defenders. Even the optimistic soldiers would not feel good when faced with supplies that were about to be interrupted at any time and bad weather.

The battle has now become a kind of torture. Facing the completely interrupted land passage, the French army in Hanoi has little to do, and the dilemma faced by the French is 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.

"Now, except for the British army 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. Yes. 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 we cannot go all out to fight in Asia." Alan Wilson sighed.

This is also one of the difficulties France faces. 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 the balance of military power between the two sides without large-scale involvement, but it refused to provide air supply support.

In fact, this is also the reason why Alan Wilson believes that the purpose of the United States is not simple. The United States can completely provide the bombers France needs most, maintain the control advantage of the French army, and at least allow France to leave decently when it has the advantage.

The cost of providing bombers is far less than the military assistance provided by the United States to France. The United States chose military aid with greater costs, but did not provide the most effective bombers. Such aid is very strange.

It’s a pity that the British Warrior strategic bomber

The acceptance inspection has just been completed. Even if it is a generous reason to share the latest strategic weapons with France, it will take time to put the bombers into service. There is really nothing 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 was undoubtedly the decisive factor, and the Viet Minh clearly had an absolute advantage in this regard. Except for some food and supplies that were later airdropped by the French into the hands of the Vietnamese, the supplies the Viet Minh needed during the campaign were all provided by China. It is difficult to determine the route for transporting these supplies because there are too many ways and it is 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 operate with the view 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 army in Vietnam, while the British troops in Malaya did not have this problem. The British troops in Malaya were at least mostly British citizens, with only a small number being 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 method discussed by the two ultimately helped the French. The fundamental purpose of the discussion was to prevent France's current predicament from falling on the United Kingdom.

If France eventually had to withdraw from Indochina, Britain, which still occupied British Malaya, would inevitably feel alone.

As for distant Europe, it is also looking for ways to help France get 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. The United States cannot express double standards at the same meeting. The twenty-three countries participating in the Geneva Conference this time were naturally divided into two camps. They discussed the North Korean issue and the Vietnam issue.

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 American power.

The UK strongly agrees with this. It also has vast colonies and it is very disgusting to hold 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.

Secretary of State Dulles elaborated on the U.S. position at the meeting: "The Soviet Union's purpose has always been to turn North Korea into a satellite state and, if possible, extend their rule to the entire North Korea. The United States does not want the U.S. military to stay indefinitely The mutual security treaty signed by North Korea, 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 troops stationed there for the freedom of the North 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 said without saltiness, "The Soviet Union remembers that the United States is an electoral country, why not let the people of the Korean Peninsula How about deciding your 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 both sides have stated their positions, they need time to consider." Foreign Secretary Morrison, who presided over the meeting, said calmly, "If everyone has no 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, "Actually, we also need their help with the Vietnam issue."

"I was about to talk to George Pidour about this matter." Morrison nodded, "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 faced by the French was more urgent.

But there is no way. Washington thinks North Korea is important, so forget it. But the problem is that it still cannot form an overwhelming advantage. Despite some considerations, most countries firmly support the United States. But to avoid the referendum issue and to have such double standards at such an important meeting, the standard is too low.

After meeting George Pidoul, Morrison also expressed his complaints about the United States. Although he might have ridiculed France with Dulles on another occasion, there was no need for George Pidoul to know the consequences of this assumption.

"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.