In mid-July 1945, Office of Strategic Services agents from Detachment 202 parachuted into northern Indochina near Tuyên Quang, in collaboration with the Viet Minh. Their principal goal was to locate and liberate downed American pilots and prisoners of war, but the mission quickly expanded to gathering intelligence on Japanese strength and movements in French Indochina. They also trained Viet Minh in demolition, radio operation, and field tactics. Despite the war ending on August 15th, 1945, Office of Strategic Services personnel continued operations through the end of August to stabilise the region and assist in Japanese disarmament. Operation Hound Dog influenced postwar American involvement in Vietnam. |