ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with Vietminh reactions to French innovations and examines some of the ways in which the French responded to the tactics and countertactics of the Vietminh. From a military point of view, pacification actions were mainly of two types: sweeping operations, to clear an area between two or more points held by the French; and extending operations, to spread French control further out into Vietminh territory. French intelligence was poor and most Vietminh areas seemed to have forewarning of the enemy's coming. Viet agents would infiltrate a village or an area and establish a cell, which became the center for counterpacification, spreading propaganda and recruiting adherents to the Vietminh cause among the population. Throughout the war, the Vietminh admitted that one of the greatest advantages of the French was that of air power and, indeed, of absolute air superiority. Vietminh antiaircraft capability improved in the course of the war, especially after the advent of Chinese aid.
