1- The beginning : 1945-1946

• May 1945

INDOCHINA’s name became “VIETNAM”. HO CHI MINH created a liberation committee.

• June 1945

LECLERC became the chief Commander of the Far East Expeditionary Corps.

August 1945 HO CHI MINH called for insurrection. JAPAN capitulated. In INDOCHINA the Japanese were disarmed by the Chinese troops north of the 16th parallel and by the Briti sh troops south of the 16th parallel. Admiral Thierry D’ARGENLIEU was appointed Indochina high commissioner. HO CHI MINH arrived in Hanoi. SAINTENY arrived in Hanoi together with an OSS (Office of Strategic Services) leader. A Southern Liberation Committee was created by the Vietminh. Emperor BAO DAI abdicated in favour of the Hanoi government; Cédile and Messmer were parachuted respectively in Cochin-China and in Tonkin. A government of the VIETNAM republic was formed with HO CHI MINH as its president.

 

• September 1945HO CHI MINH proclaims the independence of VIETNAM. The first Franco-British troops landed in SAIGON under the command of General GRACEY. Chinese troops enter HANOI. The transitory government of VIETNAM was formed with HO CHI MINH as its president.

• September 1945

SAIGON: the Cité Héraud massacre by Vietminh terrorists.

• October 1945

LECLERC’s troops reached SAIGON. Mytho was occupied by French troops. Admiral Thierry D’ARGENLIEU reached SAIGON.

• November 1945

VINH LONG and TAY NINH were occupied by French troops. Troops from the 6th RIC land in NHATRANG.

Décember 1945 In HANOI incidents took place between the Vietminh and the Dong Ming Hoï, which was supported by the Chinese nationalists. Two thirds of COCHIN CHINA, CAMBODIA, NHATRANG and BAN ME THUOT were under French control. March 1946 Agreements were signed between SAINTENY and HO CHI MINH in Hanoi. French troops landed in HAÏPHONG. LECLERC met with HO CHI MINH in Hanoi. Thierry D’ARGENLIEU met with HO CHI MINH at ALONG BAY.

 

• April 1946

The DALAT conference began.

• June 1946

Chinese troops began to evacuate HANOI. Incidents and bombings took place in HANOI.

• August 1946

The Fontainebleau conference between France and the Vietminh began. The second DALAT conference began.

• September 1946

Franco-Vietnamese modus vivendi. (MOUTET-HO CHI MINH)

• October 1946

Assassination committees created by GIAP « purged » the nationalist opposition.