CONTENTS

Prologue – ‘Where’s Bernard?’

Introduction – Imperial Hubris

1. End of Empire

2. Cold War Realities

3. Operation Masterdom

4. Rise of the Viet Minh

5. Get Leclerc

6. France’s Expeditionary Force

7. The Hand of Mao

8. Battle for the Red River

9. Victory on the Day River

10. Air War Over Indochina

11. Operation Lorraine

12. Prelude to Defeat

13. Fortress Dien Bien Phu

14. A Dishonoured Man

15. The Vulture Hovers

16. Isabelle is Taken

17. The Cold War Reckoning

Epilogue – The Returned

Appendix I – French Order of Battle, Dien Bien Phu, 6 December 1953–8 May 1954

Appendix II – Viet Minh Order of Battle, Vietnam People’s Army, Dien Bien Phu 13 March–8 May 1954

Bibliography

About the Author