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British Forces Land in Saigon
Timeline | Wiki British forces land in Saigon, led by Major-General Douglas Gracey. Upon arrival Gracey quickly identified that administrative services in Saigon had collapsed while the city was rife with rioting and murder. While most of Saigon was back in French hands ten days later, the Viet Minh and Vietnamese citizens quickly reacted. -
Britain Begins a War
Wiki On September 25th, the Viet Minh attacked a central market area while another squad attacked the nearby Tan Son Nhut Airfield. While the airfield attack was repelled by Gurkhas (Nepalese inlisted serving in the British army), a British soldier was killed, dragging Britain into war with the Viet Minh. -
Indochina War Begins
Wiki The Indochina War began only months after France recognized Vietnam as a free state within the French Union. Fighting over Haiphong on Novermber 23rd resulted in the death of nearly 6,000 Vietnamese civilians., General Vo Giap soon brought 30,000 men to attempt to seize the port city, but were decimated by a strong French naval presence. This battle was the first in the Indochina War. -
Vietnam Regains "Independence" (Associated State)
Elysee Agreement | Wiki Bao Dai and President Auriol sign the Elysee Agreement, once again reconfirming Vietnam's status as an independent associate state. This resulted in France retaining control of Vietnamese Armed Forces. This would eventually lead to the U.S. passing the Mutual Defense Assistance Act. -
Mutual Defense Assistance Act Signed
Wiki | MDAAWith the passing of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act, America secured the ability to proide weapons, military equipment and training assistance worldwide for the intent and purpose of "collective defense". This led to the U.S.'s initial investment in the Vietnam War, and would ultimately lead to the U.S. military entering direct combat. -
Vietminh Forces Invade Laos
Wiki | Indochina WarViet Minh forces invade Laos, pushing Laotian Government officials to request formal condemnation and assistance from the international community. France begins cycling French Union Force commanders in Indochina beginning in May. In June the U.S. Army begins survey missions to identify how to best support the French. -
Eisenhower gives "Domino Theory" Speech
Wiki | History.comPresident Eisenhower coins the "domino" effect, one of the most popular Cold War phrases. He discusses the significance of a loss in Vietnam to the stability of the entire region, especially with growing communist states such as Russia and China apply pressure to Indochina. -
Loss at Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Wiki | Dien Bien PhuThe French loss at the battle of Dien Bien Phu signified a shift in momentum for the Vietnam War. Vietn Minh forces captured the stronghold at 17:30 only a day before the Geneva Conference on Indochina. Only one week later Ngo Dinh Diem is summoned to Paris; he would later become Prime Minister of Vietnam on June 16th, 1954 -
Geneva Accords Settled (Indochina)
Wiki | GenevaLeading to Operation Passage to Freedom, the Geneva Accords in 1954 led to a demilitarized zone on the 17th parallel, as well as promoted a ceasefire between French Union Forces and the People's Army of Vietnam. Both armies were given 300 days to withdraw all military presence across the parallel. Diem's cabinet refused to sign the agreement, angering U.S -
Operation Passage to Freedom
WikiIn partnership with the French and merchant navy, the U.S. navy sent hundreds of ships in order to evacuate non-communist Vietnamese refugees from North Vietnam following the armistice issued the previous month. Up to 1 million Vietnamese civilians were transported from North to South, frustrating North Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Dong. -
U.S. Assumes Military Responsibilties
Wiki | MinutesGeneral Lawton Collins (USA) and General Paul Ely (France) sign a minute of understanding involving trimming of Vietnam armed forces, granting Vietnam full autonomy, and formally passing the responsibility for training VGN forces to the United States, marking the U.S.'s first instance of ownership in the result of the conflict. -
Diem Wins Rigged Election
Stats WikiU.S.-backed Diem wins the presidential election in Vietnam by a landslide. It is later discovered that the election was severely rigged, with opponent Emperor Bao Dai unable to campaign, and an excess of ballots that exceeded the number of registered voters in many cities. This gave the U.S. a direct hand into Vietnamese politics, but would backfire and lead to their decision to have Diem assassinated. -
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Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Pierce Arrow | WikiThe destroyer USS Maddox while performing an intellignece patrol engaged three North Vietnamese torpedo boats. While there were no U.S. casualties and all three PT boats were incapacitated, Congress used the incident as a means to increase military involvement in Vietnam. (Operation Pierce Arrow) -
Tet Offensive
WikiOne of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War, the U.S. and her allies moved against the Viet Cong in a series of surprise attacks against key miliatry and civilian command centers. While successful, the number of casualties was astronomical, significantly decreasing domestic support for the war effort, and signifying the turning point that would lead up to a U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam.
