Thailand's War With Vichy France
The story of an almost unknown war and its international repercussions on the eve of Pearl Harbor.
In late 1940 and early 1941 the Vichy French in Indochina and Thailand fought a short, bitter and now forgotten war. The conflict, over Thai claims to territories annexed by France, has been noteworthy to military historians solely because of a surprising French naval victory. French firmness against Thailand had also been stiffened by a tragi-comic misunderstanding with the Japanese over their agreed takeover of northern Indochina in September 1940.
Vichy success against Thailand was a severe embarrassment to the Japanese, who swiftly nullified the effect of the French triumph at the conference table, forcing France to cede substantial portions of Indochina to the aggrieved Thais. Although the war itself was a small sideshow which had no decisive bearing on the course of the wider Pacific struggle to come, the conflict and Japan's manipulation of both players was intended to improve Japan's strategic position. This it certainly did, reinforcing the ambitions of the 'Strike South' faction in the Japanese military.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
