Vietnam: A Television History; Interview with Edward Geary Lansdale, 1979 [Part 1 of 5]

Item Information

Title:
Vietnam: A Television History; Interview with Edward Geary Lansdale, 1979 [Part 1 of 5]
Description:
General Edward Geary Lansdale was an advisor to French forces on special counter-guerrilla operations against the Viet Minh. From 1954 to 1957 he was in Saigon and served as an advisor to the American-backed government of South Vietnam. Lansdale recalls his experience fighting communist groups in the Philippines and credits that success for his being called to duty for Vietnam. Lansdale discusses the differences between fighting in the Philippines and Vietnam. He recalls that the Vietnamese had a strong distrust for foreigners and this resulted in a distrust of the government. However, Lansdale contends that it was not a mistake to support the French in Vietnam during 1950 as the French had been our allies in World War II and the United States had close cultural and economic ties with France. Lansdale also recalls his time as a special advisor to Ngo Dinh Diem. Lansdale explains at length the problems Ngo Dinh Diem had, such as being steeped in a Vietnamese Mandarin tradition that created his disengagement with the people and their needs. Lansdale also gives his opinion of Madame Nhu as a tragic figure who was extremely misunderstood.
Author:
Karnow, Stanley
Author:
Lansdale, Edward Geary, 1908-1987
Date:
January 31, 1979
Format:
Film/Video
Location:
WGBH
Collection (local):
American Archive of Public Broadcasting Collection
Series:
WGBH > Vietnam: A Television History
Subjects:
Global Affairs
War and Conflict
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Vietnam--History--1945-1975
Vietnam (Democratic Republic)
Vietnam (Republic)
Philippines--History--1946-1986
Indochinese War, 1946-1954
Lansdale, Edward Geary, 1908-1987
Ngo, Dinh Diem, 1901-1963
Vietnam--Politics and government
United States--Politics and government
United States--History--1945-
United States. Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam
Counterinsurgency
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Presidents--Vietnam (Democratic Republic)
Extent:
00:45:53
Link to Item:
https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-15-js9h41jt6c
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
WGBH Educational Foundation