The Tigers of Tonkin

Told here for the first time in English is the story of the French Foreign Legion and the part they played in the colonial campaigns in Tonkin in Indochina between the years 1883 and 1945. The book weaves the complexities of the initial colonization campaigns of the late 19th century, the battles against the Black Flags and Chinese before moving into the early 20th century which saw the legion involved in actions against pirates, rebels, nationalists and communists. The book goes on to cover the daily life for the Legionnaires as well as their restructuring and enlargement. Also, covered are the building works undertaken by the Legionnaires including roads, summer stations and barracks. The 1941 war with Thailand and the Lang Son incident are told in great detail as is the Japanese coup in March 1945, the subsequent battles involved which virtually destroyed the 5th Regiment and finally their retreat into China. Packed with over 70 unpublished photographs.