Parachutists.

This is coolbert:

In the aftermath of World War Two [WW2], there arose in the ranks of the French military, men of ability that became known as the "Parachute Mafia". Paratroopers who exerted an inordinate amount of influence on French military thought, doctrine, strategy, operations, and tactics.

Men that had served as resistance fighters or "special service" soldiers during WW2. Parachuting was a requisite skill required for these men, along with the training and mentality that goes with being a "para".

[the word "para" is shorthand in French for paratroopers. Connotation is of a soldier of the foremost ability, with the greatest elan', willing and able do perform the most hazardous missions, and does so with relish [?]]

Roger Trinquier was such a man. Ended his career as head of the French paratrooper school in Pau.

[paratrooper school, learning just to jump, is only the first phase of the "para" training regimen. Mastering a very high level of physical fitness, rucksack marches at forced pace with heavy load, the spirit and mentality of offensive action, all this too is instilled at "para" school!].

The French seemed to possess a parachute "psychosis" NOT unlike that described by Suvorov as was present in the old Soviet military. Parachute training IS analogous to a filter mechanism. ONLY soldiers of the best quality and initiative will pass through the rigors of paratrooper school. Soldiers that can be depended upon for superior performance when the need arises.

Besides Roger Trinquier, other Frenchmen distinguished themselves as part of the "Parachute Mafia". To include the well known [at least in military circles] names of:

General Massu.

General Aussaresses.

Colonel Bigeard.

[Colonel Mathieu, as portrayed in the movie, "The Battle of Algiers" is a composite character based in parts upon Massau, Bigeard, and Trinquier.]

And lesser known names such as:

"Langlais, Botella, Brechignac and Giraud"

The bravery of these men is absolutely undeniable. Soldiers, Frenchmen, of the most courageous type. Even when it was realized that the battle at Dien Bien Phu was a lost cause, a French paratrooper battalion under Bigeard jumped into the "cauldron" for the SECOND time, in a vainglorious effort to snatch victory from defeat. They were not successful, but gave a good account of themselves in the process.




[Bigeard, taking over de facto command of the French garrison, re-invented Hutier tactics to combat the trench warfare of the Viet Minh. Again, his paratroop units displayed great bravery in counter-attacks against the beseiger, but lost a lot of good officers in the process.]

"At the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, major Marcel Bigeard (who had no formal military training) unwittingly re-invented infiltration tactics, in an attempt to defend against the Viet Minh trench warfare tactics."

It seems to be also true that these were men from relatively humble "station". Rose to high rank based upon their ABILITY as fighting soldiers. The French military, as I understand it, have always drawn heavily upon an officer corps drawn from the ranks of the "hereditary nobility". This would not seem to be the case with the "Parachute Mafia"?

"an inordinate amount of influence"

Yes! And needed too! Consider that from 1939 till 1961, the French military was almost in continuous combat around the world, i.e., Free-French-Exterior [FFE], Indo-China and Algeria. In such circumstances, it is GOOD to have persons such as the "Parachute Mafia" around. Fighters available when needed.

coolbert.