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In November and December 1946 fighting broke out in Haiphong and Hanoi between the Vietminh and the French. This signaled the vanishing point for any chance of a peaceful solution in Indochina. With the onset of the First Indochina War millions who had previously been on the fence were suddenly forced to take a side– the vast majority lined-up against the French…. MORE>>
Dolores Ibárruri, La Pasionaria
Barcelona, November 1, 1938:
“From all peoples, from all races, you came to us like brothers, like sons of immortal Spain; and in the hardest days of the war, when the capital of the Spanish Republic was threatened, it was you, gallant comrades of the International Brigades, who helped save the city with your fighting enthusiasm, your heroism and your spirit of sacrifice. – And Jarama and Guadalajara, Brunete and Belchite, Levante and the Ebro, in immortal verses sing of the courage, the sacrifice, the daring, th discipline of the men of the International Brigades… MORE>>
Posted in Europe, History, Politics, Spanish Civil War, War
Tagged Dolores Ibárruri, International Brigade, Second Spanish Republic, Spain, Spanish Civil War
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In a scene reminiscent of General Walton ”Johnny” Walker at the Pusan Perimeter in Korea, Army Lieutenant Colonel John Paul Vann was reportedly shouting and pleading on the radio as he circled in the spotter plane above. He watched helplessly while Captain Ba’s M-113 APCs sat, parked, just short of the edge of the assault radius. But what could Vann really do? He had no real authority over any of the troops that he had staked his entire operation on. MORE>>
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The French underground in Indochina assisted in rescuing downed Allied pilots. A solid spy network had been constructed in Vietnam that was actively transmitting good intelligence on the Japanese. As time passed the OSS gained increasing access to the output of the underground. Pilots were rescued. Then suddenly in spring 1945 the flow of information ceased without warning. The Japanese had launched their coupe de main in Vietnam. Grasping for a new strategy, OSS colonel Paul Helliwell turned to Major Archimedes Patti… MORE>>
Posted in Asia, Essays, History, Spy, US Military, Vietnam, War
Tagged Indochina, Vietnam, Vietnam War
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