Eisenhower did provide France with bombers and non-combat personnel. After a few months with no success by the French, he added other aircraft to drop napalm for clearing purposes. Further requests for assistance from the French were agreed to but only on conditions Eisenhower knew were impossible to meet – allied participation and congressional approval. When the French fortress of Dien Bien Phu fell to the Vietnamese Communists in May 1954, Eisenhower refused to intervene despite urgings from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Vice President and the head of NCS. COUNT 5
QSN1 Aside from bombers, what aid did Eisenhower provide to the French? ANS1 non-combat personnel QSN2 What did American bombers drop on Vietnam? ANS2 napalm QSN3 When did Dien Bien Phu fall to the communists? ANS3 May 1954 QSN4 Along with the Vice President and NCS head, who urged Eisenhower to intervene after the fall of Dien Bien Phu? ANS4 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs QSN5 What arguably impossible conditions did Eisenhower set for further intervention on behalf of the French? ANS5 allied participation and congressional approval