Vietnam's General Vo Nguyen Giap dies

[Jimbuna]

Wasn't aware he was still alive!!

Vo Nguyen Giap, the Vietnamese general who masterminded victories against France and the US, has died aged 102.
His defeat of French forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 effectively ended French colonial rule in the region.
He was North Vietnam's defence minister at the time of the Tet Offensive against American forces in 1968, often cited as a key campaign that led to the Americans' withdrawal.
Gen Giap also published a number of works on military strategy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24402278

[Stealhead]

Arguably one of the greatest generals every if you ask me.

He is often incorrectly credited with the Tet Offensive that was not his idea and he personally disliked it and felt that it would not achieve its military goal which it did not.Though it did prove that American strategy up to that point had not worked.

[Oberon]

Very wise in small unit tactics, but struggled with large unit ones, however you certainly can't deny that he had a major impact on the battlefield of Vietnam, and he knew his stuff.

[TarJak]

Wow 102! Certainly a very good innings. Giap was a major influence on both Vietnamese wars of independence. I believe his positioning and and use of his artillery at Ðiện Biên Phủ was a masterpiece and cemented the fate of the French occupation.

He was also a journalist and became a politician after the the 2nd war. RIP to a great soldier.

[Mr Quatro]

even rats can win sometimes if they just keep knawing and knawing away.

I think I'll go have a beer and remember how bad President Johnson and President Nixon were as leaders, but as for this guy good riddance

[Stealhead]

Was it his fault that the US government got involved in Vietnam without understanding that it was a civil war?Was it his fault that the US government and military forced the troops to fight in a highly ineffective manner?Was it is his fault that the US government backed a highly corrupt and inept government?No.

To me this guy is an pretty clear patriot he fought for his country for a very long time I can admire that.There is nothing wrong with having a respect for a former enemy.

My father directly fought Giap or at least forces that where under his command following his leadership. He has a respect for the Vietnamese even though he was trying to kill them and they him at one point.


Just out of curiosity where you even in the US military or Vietnam?

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Mr Quatro

even rats can win sometimes if they just keep knawing and knawing away.

I think I'll go have a beer and remember how bad President Johnson and President Nixon were as leaders, but as for this guy good riddance

Sore laser syndrome? America, Australia and the French before them had ample opportunity to avoid both wars at the end of WWII. Had England and France not demanded their former colonial estate be reestablished and an independent Vietnam set up the whole sorry situation could have been avoided.

The French and US generals were culpable in their failure to understand the situation and their enemies. Giap and the other Vietnamese generals studied their enemies and their behaviour and using low cost tactics made a mockery of the modern armies they faced. They also understood that if they kept going they would eventually force their opponents to leave the field. If you can't accept the fact that your army navy airforce and marines eere beaten through better tactics and sheer persistence then there's not much hope for you. My father and an uncle were also involved in the conflict and they both accepted the fact we were outsmarted by the Vietnamese.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Mr Quatro

even rats can win sometimes if they just keep knawing and knawing away.

I think I'll go have a beer and remember how bad President Johnson and President Nixon were as leaders, but as for this guy good riddance

Oh boo hoo.

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by Mr Quatro

I think I'll go have a beer

HunterICX