Customer Reviews

The First Vietnam War

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The First Vietnam War, by Peter M. Dunn, centers on the occupation of Southern Vietnam in the autumn of 1945 by British forces, in fact the 20th Indian Division under Major General Douglas Gracey, sent to accept the surrender of Japanese forces. Based on extensive archival research, Dunn tells a fascinating story and one that runs counter to much of what we have been led to beleive. The British arrived to find soutnern Vietnam in chaos in the wake of the Japanese overthrow of the Vichy French regime and Japanese defeat. Contrary to the orthodox interpretation, the communist-led Vietminh were not in effective control of the Saigon area. Gracey moved to rectify the situation, re-arming Japanese troops to restore order and abeting a French coup de main. He has never been forgiven by historians following the Vietminh line. Fascinating details abound. The Vietnam War started not in December 1946, but in late October 1945! OSS Major Peter A. Dewey, the first American casualty of the war, was probably killed by mistake in a Vietminh ambush. Dunn's arguments are well constructed and solidly supported by the evidence.

John F. Guilmartin, Jr.