Index, bibliography, notes, ill, maps, p.722.non-fictionVietnam became the Western world's most divisive modern conflict, precipitating a battlefield humiliation for France in 1954, then a vastly greater one for the United States in 1975. Max Hastings has spent the past three years interviewing scores of participants on both sides, as well as researching a multitude of American and Vietnamese documents and memoirs, to create an epic narrative of an epic struggle. He portrays the set pieces of Dienbienphu, the Tet offensive, the air blitz of North Vietnam, and less familiar battles such as the bloodbath at Daido, where a US Marine battalion was almost wiped out, together with extraordinary recollections of Ho Chi Minh's warriors. Here are the vivid realities of strife amid jungle and paddies that killed 2 million people. Many writers treat the war as a US tragedy, yet Hastings sees it as overwhelmingly that of the Vietnamese people, of whom forty died for every American. While all the world has seen the image of a screaming, naked girl seared by napalm, it forgets countless eviscerations, beheadings and murders carried out by the communists. The people of both former Vietnams paid a bitter price for the Northerners' victory in privation and oppression. Here is testimony from Vietcong guerrillas, Southern paratroopers, Saigon bargirls and Hanoi students alongside that of infantrymen from South Dakota, Marines from North Carolina, Huey pilots from Arkansas.vietnam war 1961-1975 – history, vietnam war 1961-1975 – personal recollections

Military adaption of DC3 AIRLINER fitted with cargo door,stronger floor.Able to carry cargo or troops.RAAF colour and markings

Family circumstances dictated that Alan Reed leave school before his sixteenth birthday. He was employed in a Chartered Accountants office until 'called up' for National Service Training in the RAAF. Becoming airborne for the first time in a Dakota DC3 changed his life forever and he applied for and was accepted by the RAAF as a Trainee Pilot. Graduating as a Sergeant in 1954 he progressed through the ranks completing his career as an Air Vice Marshall leading RAAF Support Command, an organisation of more that twelve thousand people: one of Australia's largest institutions at the time.alan reed, australia. royal australian air force – veterans, australia. royal australian air force - history

Douglas C47 minature plane part of a 25 model aircraft collection made by Brian Anthony DOWD The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front-line service with various military operators for many years.Douglas C47 (DC3) plane. Dark green with large red cross on the top and two smaller ones on the side.model airplanes, douglas c47 (dc3) plane

Inscribed on back of plaque "Presented To Laurie MacPherson"