Douglas Gracey - Commander-in-Chief Allied Land Forces French Indochina

Commander-in-Chief Allied Land Forces French Indochina

In September 1945, Gracey led 20,000 troops of the 20th Indian Division to occupy Saigon. During the Potsdam Conference in July 1945, the Allies had agreed on Britain taking control of Vietnam south of the 16th parallel (then part of French Indochina) from the Japanese occupiers. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed Vietnamese independence from French rule and major pro-independence and anti-French demonstrations were held in Saigon. Ho Chi Minh was the leader of the communist Viet Minh.

The French, anxious to retain their colony, persuaded Gracey's Commander in Chief, Lord Mountbatten, to authorise Gracey to declare martial law. Fearing a communist takeover of Vietnam, Gracey decided to rearm French citizens who had remained in Saigon. He allowed them to seize control of public buildings from the Viet Minh. In October 1945, as fighting spread throughout the city, Gracey issued guns to the Japanese troops who had surrendered. He used them to help restore order in the city. According to some socialist and communist commentaries, this controversial decision furthered Ho Ch Minh's cause of liberating Vietnam from foreigners' rule and precipitated the First Indochina War. French General Leclerc arrived in Saigon in October 1945 to assume authority but it was not until well into the first half of 1946 that enough French troops had arrived to allow General Gracey to return with his troops to India where 20th Indian Division was disbanded.

On the 17th September 1945, four days after Gracey arrived in Saigon, the Viet Minh called a series of strikes in Saigon, closing the market and boycotting trade with the French. Gracey saw this as a threat to his authority and two days later he closed down the Vietnamese press. The Vietnamese protested that this was a violation of their civil rights but Gracey ignored their pleas.

Gracey implemented his plan to disarm the Viet Minh police. On 20th September, as part of the process, British troops occupied the Central Jail and took control of the two main banks in Saigon. On the 21st, Proclamation No.1 was posted up all over the city. This move has been described since as a declaration of martial law. Printed in English, French and Vietnamese, this extremely important proclamation should be quoted in order for the reader to understand the situation that then existed.

Paragraph 1 ensured that the people should know that Gracey was in command of "all the British, French and Japanese forces and of all police forces and other armed bodies in French Indo-China south of 16° latitude, with orders to ensure law and order in this area."

Paragraph 2 said; "Let it be known to all that it is my firm intention to ensure with strict impartiality that this period of transition from war to peace conditions is carried out..."

Paragraph 3 warned "...all wrongdoers, especially looters and saboteurs of public and private property, and those also carrying out similar criminal activities, that they will be summarily shot."

Paragraph 4 laid down the following orders to take effect immediately;

"(a) No demonstrations or processions will be permitted.

(b) No public meetings will take place.

(c) No arms of any description including sticks, staves, bamboo spears, etc. will be carried except by British and Allied troops, and such other forces and police which have been specially authorised by me.

(d) The curfew already imposed by the Japanese authorities between 21.30 and 05.30 in Saigon and Cholon will be continued and strictly enforced."

What is interesting in the above is item (c) where it says, "...such other forces and police...specially authorised by me." In other words, Gracey was saying that the former common enemy, the Japanese had now suddenly become "authorised" to enforce martial law.

French troops, led by Colonel Cedile, attacked and took the Town Hall which had been the seat of the Viet Minh government. The Post Office and the Surete were taken and Vietnamese sentries shot. "Scores of Annamites were trussed up and marched off. Foreign eyewitnesses that morning saw blood flow, saw bound men beaten. They saw French colonial culture being restored to Saigon." VIETNAM History, Documents and Opinions on a Major Worlds Crisis", Marvin E. Gettleman.

Fighting broke out all over the city as the Vietnamese people fought back against the French attack. Major General Gracey then called on the Viet Minh leaders to sit round the table with the French to negotiate. Gracey's chief political spokesman was asked, ""Why would you not talk with the Viet Minh before the shooting started?" "Because you cannot negotiate when a pistol is held at your head," the British official replied. "You mean you can negotiate only when you hold a pistol at the other party's head?" He shrugged." VIETNAM, History, Documents, and Opinions on a Major World Crisis, Marvin E. Gettleman

This seizure of power by French forces and the release and arming of the French internees led to the catastrophe of the Vietnam War.