There is a great misperception about the French military.
The French military is not incompetent. In fact, they are excellent. Their political LEADERSHIP has been horrible for decades and the French population in general has been ambivalent with regard to just about anything dealing with defense and national security.
But the French military is far from the incompetent, cowardly force that so many in America seem to think it is.
The French military leadership failed their armed forces in 1940. When the Germans invaded, the French had a bigger army, more tanks, *better* tanks (albeit much slower), and more guns. The only areas where the Germans had a real qualitative superiority were in their air force (the French AF was bigger but largely obsolete) and in their tactics. The French generals deployed their army poorly, went into a total panic when the Germans broke through the “impossible” Ardennes and reached the Meuse, and totally botched any slim hope of a counterattack. Their soldiers, in many cases, fought well against hopeless odds.
The French actually have a lot of experience in counterterrorism. Well, OK, if you define Greenpeace as “terrorists”. But, still, they train very hard, and I expect if they can catch these pirates, they’ll put some serious hurt on them.
}:-)4
Volunteers were making night jumps into Dien Bien Phu almost to the end.
A jump into the depths of hell would have been a better choice.
Some not even jump qualified!
Yes the most senior leadership was poor at best, that will not diminish the honor of the men.
A superb read.
http://www.dienbienphu.org/english/
from wiki:
The prisoners, French survivors of the battle at Dien Bien Phu, were starved, beaten, and heaped with abuse, and many died.[66] Of 10,863 survivors held as prisoners, only 3,290 were repatriated four months later.[63] The fate of 3,013 prisoners of Indochinese origin is unknown.[67]
I have operated with the French Navy and met personally with French Naval officers. They are a VERY professional group and quite capable in their ship handling even under delicate conditions.
It is not wise to underestimate them.
I will be first in line to bash much of their political leadership over the last 50 years but not the French Navy. I can not speak for the other services but would expect a similar level of professionalism.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Roger that. It also should be considered that their intelligence services were just as valuable to us in the Cold War as the Brits.
The French military is not incompetent. In fact, they are excellent.
But just for humor's sake, click here.
Cheers!