NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
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6. Currently, French and Associated States military forces are not only scattered throughout the provinces of Tonkin, Annam, and Cochin-China, as well as in Cambodia and Laos, but within these areas anti-Communist forces are holed up in small forts, towers, and fortified areas. Most of those forts have never been subjected to attack. The French have contended these forts are necessary to guard lines of communication and control the countryside. I feel that a striking force of at least 5 divisions could be mobilized from these forces and mobile reserves by 1 October 1953 for employment as a striking force in the north, and so informed General Navarre in the nature of a suggested plan (see Annex "G") for offensive action in Tonkin during the coming dry season (Oct 53 - May 54). This would not denude any area. General Navarre is somewhat cautious with respect to reducing troops in inactive areas but intends (and so stated in the Navarre Plan) to mobilize a 3 division striking force for employment in Tonkin by 15 September 1953.
7. Though the new French High Command is prepared to take certain essential and highly desirable steps in the right direction, they will not, and perhaps cannot in view of political considerations, consider undertaking military campaigns designed to achieve total victory with the forces now available. Consequently, complete military victory will await the further development of the military forces of the Associated States or the addition of French divisions from outside Indochina.
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