High Commissioner and Commander in Chief, French Army General,Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, arrives in Indochina on a DC-3 airplane. He is greeted by the high ranking military and political leaders in the country. He reviews contingents of French military forces, meets and greets, seemingly countless, military officers, and many Vietnamese Government officials in white suits. Later, in 1952, French General Henri Navarre arrives by DC-4 aircraft (to replace General de Lattre de Tassigny, who died of cancer). He is greeted by French officers and officials.
Civilians in Indochina during French-Indochina war. Fire blazes in the background. Firemen spray water on a fire in distance. Civilians in foreground. Ruins and damaged buildings. Civilians inspect the debris. A man with a cart.
Anti-communist propaganda piece in the 1950s: A Communist parade in Paris,France. Communist demonstrators chant slogans like 'Stop the War in Indo-China', Down with warfare',' Unite with Russia for world peace'. People carry signs and banners reading 'France', 'US Go Home' and many more. A mock attack by a boy on another boy dressed up as an American Miltary Police. A union of French women with banners reading phony title for a communist front organization. Big replica of Stalin's party line novel. Main body of procession includes parade by Communist-led trade unions. A parade of French military might in an other part of Paris. Thousands of French soldiers armed with rifles march on a tree-lined street. People gather in great numbers to witness the parade. A parade of French trucks,artillery and tanks.
Activities of Viet Minh during the Indochina war. Ruins of houses and wrecked vehicles. Viet Minh soldier stands along with booklet. A Viet Minh soldier operating a radio. Camouflaged military vehicles with Viet Minh soldiers. Dead bodies at a riverside. Viet Minh Firing an antiaircraft gun and firing a French 75 field artillery piece. A large artillery field gun.
French paratroops preparing to board JU-52 (Amiot AaC 1 Toucan) trimotor transport aircraft for an air drop. Puppy dog mascot seen amongst their packs. They board the aircraft. Views of French paratroops descending from the JU-52 tromotor aircraft, and landing in a field in Indochina.
French military operations in Indochina. advancing French troops take cover as enemy fire breaks out. Later, Armed French troops are seen herding a group of Viet Minh prisoners, dressed all in black.