I respectfully disagree Rouge (don't we always), at the time that the American's started funding the French Military actions in Vietnam, the French were still deeply routed in the defense of RC4, RC 1, and R3 the triangular section of roads that linked Hanoi with Cao Bang. Lang Son and Mong Cal. The French wanted to continue to fight the war and protect thier interests in the country, however the continual rotation of area commanders (I think 4 were outright dismissed for incompetance) the loss of lives especially involving both thier french foreign legion and elite parachute brigades and the loss of valuable supplies and weapons to the enemy were slowly bleed the French White. However they wanted to continue fighting the war on thier terms and the American's bailed them out with an enormous amount of money and weapons support including the American manufacture of french m-24 (I think) tanks for almost no charge. It wasn't until later in 1954 after the French were clobbered in the battle of Dien Dien Phu that the French finally decided to basically take thier ball and go home leaving the American's to clean up what was a French created unwinnable situation.
By the time the American's hit Vietnam, they were basically fighting an established and dug in enemy who had validated thier tactics against a similar foe, had most of the high grounds in the country and were ready for what was coming. I've always said that the American's should have stayed out of Vietnam not for political reasons but tactically I don't think they could have won the war without going to extremes that are beyond barbaric. However I think that if the American's had not gone into Vietnam, they would have never been forced to restructure thier military get rid of the draft and refine thier tactics.
Anyways I digress.
Sorry
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