The Man from OZ!

[Doc Vernon]

Well i got this Card from the Strange one (John) Today 9th July seems that he and Terri are really enjoying their Cruise!
This one from Pine Apple Beach La Plage d'Ananas Vung-Tau Viet-Nam!

Says lots of People rushing around,very clean,green and lovely place.

Wonder if he took off on his own a few times to chat the Floozies LOL!

Does look kinda nice hey!
Cheers

Took a bit long to arrive here as they are due back on the 11th July! That To Morrow here!

Card fron John.jpg

[Captain Kong]

Hi Vernon thanks for that photo of Vung Tau.
I went back there in 2008 on QE2 .
In 1955 we went there on the GEORGIC to rescue the French Foreign Legion, running our lifeboats ashore on that beach to lift 2,000 Legionaires off, away from the Viet Minh, and take them back to Algiers and Marseilles.
Vung Tau was called Cape St. Jaques in those days, being ex French Indo China.
There were no fancy holiday homes for the Elite in those days.
It is a two hour bus ride from Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City now.
Interesting times.
Cheers
Brian.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Capt
Like as before mate you have been around!

Yes that was a terrible defeat for the Legion and as a result that particular Batallion,was really devasted!
Out of some 10,000 there were almost half killed in that Battle there,one of the biggest Legion losses besides the Algerian Saga!
Decisive Viet Minh victory
General Marcel Carpentier was the Commander at the beginning about 1950 time as i remember,and he had a great record of Service,but after that he was replaced a de Latte,he Carpentier eventually retired as Commander In Chief of NATO in Europe a truly great Man!
The Legion took many Years to get over that defeat,and was spoken of in many a Barracks Years and Years after! I recall many stories coming from some who had been there!
An awfull time!
Cheers

I can tell you too that other stories that were told in the recruiting Barracks were really spine tingling,and put us newbies on alert ,i can say with honesty that at times i was petrified,but got over it and just on on with the best one could do at that time! Bleedin crazy we were!!

[Captain Kong]

Yes Vernon, it was after the Battle of Dien Bien Phu where they were smashed by the VM. I recall a nurse by the name of Genevieve who was a heroine there. I think it was General Giap who masterminded the defeat of the Legion.
There was a great book written by one of the survivors, called `Kepi Blancs`, very interesting and gives the full story of that terrible defeat.
The reception for the survivors when we arrived in Marseilles was the most impressive I have ever seen. Legionaires were weeping on deck, tears rolling down their faces, A two hundred peice military band, in full Legion dress, Kepi blancs, blue coats with red lining and white trousers and shiny boots. fantastic.
If only we had the cameras we have today, a lot of history could have been recorded then.
I have my memories Vern.
Cheers
Brian.

[Doc Vernon]

Yes Capt the memories are good and bad,some locked away in my inner self,i reckon a lot of us have the same feelings of different times in our lives.
Cheers

[Lou Barron]

I thoughti saw John on the beach that the guy with the beer pot gut OH what a life hope you are keeping in good health Lou