The jewel in France's crown -- Japan, Britain and French Indochina -- The Anglo-American alliance and Indochina -- The Japanese Coup of 9 March, 1945 and its consequences -- The August Revolution -- The coming of the British -- The death of an OSS man -- War with the Viet Minh -- The last phase -- Gracey's farewell -- The slide to disaster -- A Rubicon crossed -- Conclusion.