The Siege of Na-sam
In North-west Tonkin the French have been forced back on to the defensive. Their foray, made in considerable strength, to and beyond Phu-Doan led to the capture or des- truction of considerable supply-dumps, where Russian lorries and ammunition were found; but the thrust failed to cut the communications of the Veit-minh forces to the south and the expedition had to fight its way back so the main defences of the delta, from which it had been launched. This left the rebels free to concentrate against the two remaining centres of French military strength in the Thai country, Laichau and Son-lam. It is upon the latter, or rather (for the town of Son- lam has been evacuated) upon the nearby air-strip of Na-sam, that the Veit-minh are now exerting an acute and increasing pressure. Na-sam lies in flat, open country and is believed to be held by the equivalent of one division. The French have a marked superiority in fire-power over their assailants and they enjoy—as long as the weather permits them to exert it— complete supremacy in the air. In theory, therefore, the situ- ation around Na-sam, where their elusive opponents are for once concentrated on a favourable killing-ground, offers them good hope of reversing the trend of Veit-minh successes. But an air-field is an awkward thing to defend against adversaries who have got their tails up, and in the last analysis everything will depend upon the coolness of the French commanders and the staunchness of their troops. The coming days are likely to be critical at Na-sam.
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