British Civil Servant

v2 Chapter 756: The problem is not Vietnam

On the Dien Bien Phu position, facing the swarming Vietnamese soldiers, the French soldiers still maintained their high fighting spirit. But the weather has been extremely bad, the thick black clouds have persisted for a long time, and the air supply can no longer be counted on.

This is more terrifying to the French soldiers than anything else. Logistics is the key to any war. No one can fight on an empty stomach. Any unfavorable conditions can be overcome by the French defenders, but this is not enough.

The dark clouds and torrential rain seemed to herald the outcome of the French defenders. Even the optimistic soldiers would not be in a good mood in the face of supplies that would be interrupted at any time and bad weather.

The battle has now become a torment. In the face of the completely interrupted land passage, the French army in Hanoi has little to do, and the predicament faced by the French also makes the United Kingdom feel the same.

"Is there really no way?" General Bilton inevitably wanted to think of a way for the French, after all, everyone was a European country.

"Now, apart from the British landing in Tokyo Bay, there may be no reason for the French to hold on to the end." Alan Wilson spread his hands and put forward a proposal that the United Kingdom would never approve of "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, after the First World War the French fought recklessly."

Now that the Geneva Conference is held, and the French are stuck in Dien Bien Phu, how could London agree to the dispatch of the British army?

Although the British had some advantages over the French, London would not agree.

"That's true. We don't have much to do in this situation. But we won't choose a place as stupid as Dien Bien Phu to fight." General Bilton agreed with Alan Wilson on this point.

"No way, our situation in Malaya is the same as that of France in Vietnam. As a member of NATO, we are obliged to the security of Europe, and it is impossible to come to Asia with all our strength to fight." Alan Wilson sighed.

This is also one of the difficulties facing France. As a member of NATO, it has obligations to NATO. It is difficult for France to provide sufficient aircraft, especially heavy bombers, to Southeast Asia. The U.S. could have changed the balance of power without major involvement, but it refused to provide air 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 that France needs most, maintain the French army's control advantage, and at least allow France to leave decently when it has an advantage.

The cost of providing bombers is far less than the military aid the United States provides to France. The United States chooses more expensive military aid, but only does not give the most effective bombers. This kind of aid is very strange.

It is a pity that the British Warrior strategic bomber has just completed the acceptance inspection. Even if it is a generous reason to share the latest strategic weapons with France, it will take time to put the bomber into service, which is really not helpful at this moment.

"If possible, the strategic bombers in service should be deployed in Malaya immediately." Through this war, Alan Wilson learned from France how important air power is.

"France's current predicament is still logistically. Fortunately, we have a strong navy and maritime power, and Malaya is a peninsula, which can give play to our British advantages." General Bilton also has his own views, from the perspective of a bystander Look at the plight of France.

Specifically, from the perspective of 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 the materials that the French airdropped into the hands of the Vietnamese, all the materials needed by the Viet Minh in the battle were provided by China. It is difficult to determine the route of transporting these materials because there are too many routes and too complicated.

The thick clouds in the rainy season also protected the Viet Minh convoy from French aircraft to a considerable extent, and also seriously hindered the accurate air-dropping of supplies by the French army.

"We should feel that the operation is that the British army stationed in Malaya is composed of citizens of the country." Alan Wilson also pointed out the complex ethnic problems of the French army in Vietnam, while the British army in Malaya did not have this problem. The British troops in Malaya were at least mostly British citizens, with only a few soldiers from the Nepalese battalion.

The difficulty of Nepalese soldiers to manage is much easier than that of the North Africans in the French barracks, not to mention that there are not many Nepalese.

The method discussed by the two ultimately helped the French. The fundamental purpose of the discussion was not to let the current predicament of France fall on the United Kingdom.

If France eventually has to withdraw from the Indochina Peninsula, Britain, which still occupies British Malaya, will inevitably feel alone.

As far as Europe, they are also trying to help France out of the predicament. This time the United States is also very sincere. Even if the purpose of the United States to help France is not simple, it has to show for itself.

Because in addition to the Vietnam issue, there is also a North Korea issue, and the United States cannot express double standards at the same time in a meeting. The twenty-three countries that participated in the Geneva conference this time were naturally divided into two camps. Colleagues discussed the issue of North Korea and the issue of Vietnam.

Washington's attitude is to take a firm resistance to proposals such as so-called popular elections. No matter which issue is North Korea or Vietnam, the so-called election must be resolutely vetoed. Because according to the current public opinion, the election is to choose the Soviet Union, whether it is North Korea or Vietnam, a really fair election will only make the US power be driven away.

The UK strongly agrees with this point. The UK still has vast colonies, which makes elections very disgusting.

The United Kingdom and the United States quickly reached a consensus that whoever dares to refer to the national election to determine the future is politically incorrect, and whoever is the enemy of the United Kingdom and the United States.

Although the situation in Vietnam is more pressing and the Korean War is over, the final conclusion is to talk about North Korea first because Washington sees North Korea as more important to the United States.

Secretary of State Dulles explained the US position at the meeting: "The purpose of the Soviet Union has always been to turn North Korea into a satellite state and, if possible, to extend their rule throughout North Korea. The United States does not want the US military to remain 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 military presence 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 indifferently, "The Soviet Union remembers that the United States is an electoral country, so why not let people on the Korean peninsula decide your own destiny?"

"This kind of demagogic propaganda is to cover up Moscow's real purpose. And the US military presence is a necessary means to prevent a terrible future and maintain world peace." After Dulles finished speaking, he looked at his supporting countries.

Britain and France soon followed suit, and together with the 16 countries participating in the Geneva Conference, expressed their support for Dulles.

"We still remember how the Soviet control of Eastern European countries happened." 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 decide the future, pointing at Molotov, "We can't be sure if there is a wrong outcome, there will be a chance to make it up later. Dulles's words are not unreasonable, Eastern European countries. There are no elections now. If the first election happens to be the result that the Soviet Union wanted, and the North Koreans regret it later, will there be a second referendum? Of course, Mr. Molotov can deny it, just like Finland at the time. as credible as a bread basket."

"North Korea has ceased fighting, and everything has come to an end with the truce. There is no need for additional discussions." US Secretary of State Dulles nodded at Foreign Secretary Morrison, and then said to Molotov. , "The North Korean issue no longer needs to be discussed."

Subsequently, representatives of Australia, the Philippines, and Belgium echoed their voices, all expressing their rejection of Molotov's proposal.

"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, it will take time to consider." Morrison, the foreign secretary who presided over the meeting, said calmly, "If everyone has no opinion. ,Ok, deal."

Soon, representatives from various countries left the venue. Morrison summoned Ismay, the Permanent Secretary 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 have any. Contradictory, of course we have to state our position~lightnovelpub.net~ We will definitely stand 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, Vietnam needs their help too."

"I was about to talk to George Pidour about this." Morrison nodded. "This is also inseparable from China."

The Korean War is over, and Morrison doesn't know why Dulles put the North Korea issue in the front of the discussion. Now it's obvious that the French are facing more urgency about the Vietnam issue.

But there is no way, Washington thinks North Korea is important, and that's fine, but the problem is that it can't form an overwhelming advantage. Despite a number of factors, most countries firmly support the United States. The referendum issue can be avoided, and the standard is too low for such an important meeting.

Morrison also expressed his complaints about the United States after meeting George Pidoul. Although he and Dulles may have ridiculed France on another occasion, it is not necessary for Georges Pidoul to know the consequences of this assumption.

"The key to Vietnam's withdrawal is to have a consensus with China, and Vietnam's attitude is not important." Morrison informed George Pidour of the remarks from the mysterious power of the East.