We Stand Alone by David Lee Corley

Author:David Lee Corley [Corley, David Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, suspense, novel, series, book, ebook, e-book, adventure, action, historical fiction, history, vietnam, vietnam war, indochina, indochina war, viet minh, ho chi minh, aviation, air force, paratrooper, foreign legion, dien bien phu, siege, battle, war, military, battlefield, warfare, tonkin, cia, flying tigers, mcgovern, airmen, airmen series
Publisher: David Lee Corley
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

After dinner was served and the men were appreciating the brandy and cigars, General Navarre stood and lightly tapped his brandy glass with a spoon, seizing the room’s attention and silence. “Gentlemen and Lady, I do not wish to interrupt your celebration, but I would like to make a short presentation,” said Navarre. “Colonel De Castries, if you would stand?”

De Castries rose. Navarre’s assistant, Captain Pouget, handed him two boxes, one small and the other large. He opened the large box to reveal a general’s kepi, with its ornate golden stitching around the crown, flat top, and polished visor. He opened the small box to reveal the two general’s insignia, each with two stars, to be worn on the shoulders. “The general staff of the Army of France has deemed you qualified and worthy of promotion to General de Brigade,” said Navarre. “Congratulations, General Christian De Castries.”

The room burst into applause as General Navarre handed De Castries his symbols of rank. Paule began singing “Le Marche,” and her voice was quickly drowned out by the entire tent of men singing. As was tradition, General Cogny was about to make a toast when the major in charge of the garrison’s communications walked briskly into the tent and searched the occupants. He spotted General Navarre and rushed over to his table.

“General, I am sorry to interrupt, but this message just came in. It was coded ‘urgent,’” said the major as he handed Navarre the typed message.

Navarre expression turned grim as he read in silence. The field commanders and executive officers waited to hear the news. “Gentlemen, it seems several of our garrisons near the border have been overrun, and the Viet Minh have invaded Laos,” said Navarre in a low and controlled voice.

“My god,” said Cogny. “How far did they get?”

“Two Viet Minh battalions joined forces with the Pathet Lao and captured the city of Thakhek on the upper Mekong River. Our intelligence estimates that another five battalions are just two days’ march from Luang Prabang,” said Navarre. “We must act quickly if Laos is to be saved.”

“Major Bigeard and the 6th Colonial are in Hanoi,” said General Gilles. “They should be deployed immediately to reinforce Luang Prabang.”

“I agree,” said Cogny. “The Viet Minh are far from their bases. We should use all our scout planes in the area to find their supply routes, then attack with our fighter-bombers to disrupt their supply chain. They cannot continue their attack if they lack ammunition and food.”

“Good,” said Navarre. “We should move our conversations to the garrison’s command post. There is no need to interrupt the men’s celebration until we have solidified our plans.”

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