Follow-On Forces Attack (FOFA). A concept developed under the aegis of nato’s saceur, Gen Rogers, in the early 1980s as a means of raising the nuclear threshold. It was included as an important mission area in the Conceptual Military Framework endorsed by NATO ministers at the end of 1985. fofa places emphasis on long-range interdiction to destroy “second-echelon” Warsaw Pact forces so they cannot follow on the front-line attackers to renew pressure on weakened areas of resistance or exploit any breakthroughs already made. Although fofa missions can be carried out with existing assets, notably aircraft, new “deep strike” surveillance, target acquisition and conventional missile systems were implied by the concept and are under development, e. g. JSTARS. These are controversial, especially as the Soviets claim to find FOFA an aggressive concept providing a cover for the acquisition of systems capable of destroying Warsaw Pact command and control as a prelude to attack. EJG.
Fonck, Capt Rene (1894-1953). Fr. Having joined the French air service in February, 1915, Fonck fiew on reconnaissance and bombing sorties for nearly two years before training as a fighter pilot. By November 1918 he had been credited with 75 victories, becoming the leading Allied “ace” ofWorldWarl.
Fontainebleau Conference. During 1946, President Ho Chi Minh of the DRV engaged in protracted negotiations with the French over Vietnam’s relations with the French empire. These negotiations came to a head at a meeting convened on July 6 at Fontainebleau outside Paris. Rightist pressures on the French government nearly sabotaged the talks, and Ho made concessions that many of his supporters were unwilling to accept. Ho signed a modus vivendi on September 14 that guaranteed France’s economic rights in northern Vietnam without securing French agreement to relinquish Cochin China. WST.
Forbes, Adm of the Fleet, Sir Charles (1888-1960). Br. c-in-c Home Fleet during the Norwegian campaign of 1940; c-in-c Plymouth from December 1940; helped plan St Nazaire raid of March 1942.
Force de Frappe. The original name for the French nuclear strategic deterrent force, now renamed Force de Dissuasion. It became operational in 1964 with Mirage IV bombers. Somq of these remain in service, forming a “triad” with 18 sshs intermediate range ballistic missiles in the Plateau D’Albion and 6 msbs ballistic missile-firing submarines, 3 of which are normally at sea at one time. This force is under purely national command.
Force H. British naval force created in June 1940, based at Gibraltar to compensate for the collapse of France. Composition varied, but included the carrier Ark Royal until her loss. Suppressed French fleet, Mers-el-Kebir; helped sink Bismarck', escorted Malta convoys; took part in “Torch”, Sicily and Salerno landings.
Force K. Formed October 1941, based at Malta, and comprising British cruisers and destroyers.
Force Z. British squadron sent to Far East, December 1941. Although “Main fleet to Singapore” had featured largely in interwar planning. Force Z comprised only battleship Prince of Wales, battlecruiser Repulse and a few destroyers. Attempting to intercept invasion convoys and without air cover, both capital ships were sunk by Japanese land-based aircraft, December 10 1941.
Ford, President Gerald R Jr
(b. l913). US. Replaced Richard Nixon as President in August 1974. American forces had by then withdrawn from Vietnam, but the ceasefire provided by the Paris Agreement had broken down. Ford requested $300 million in emergency aid for South Vietnamese forces in January 1975. The communist offensive unleashed in March prompted him to make an additional request for $722 million. Congress appropriated $300 million for the evacuation of Americans and “humanitarian purposes”, but denied supplementary military assistance for the South Vietnamese army. As Saigon fell. Ford declared that the war was “finished as far as America is concerned”. WST.
Foreign Legion (French) see Algerian CAMPAIGN.
Formidable see ii, n 's'i rioi s.
Forrestal, James Vincent (18921949). US. Administrator. Served in the navy, 1917-18. As Undersecretary of the Navy (1940) he was very successful in administering procurement. In 1944 he became Secretary of the Navy and retained this office under President Truman. Supporting Truman’s moves towards unification of the services, he became first Secretary of Defense, 1947. He committed suicide.
Fort Douaumont. Key Verdun fort, captured by Germans February 25 1916, retaken by French October 24.
Fort Vaux. Verdun fort, seized by Germans, June 7 1916, reoccupied by French, November 2.
Forward Based Systems (FBS). The American nuclear capable tactical strike aircraft capable of reaching the Soviet Union and deployed around its periphery in Allied nations and on aircraft carriers. The USSR has persistently wanted to add these to American strategic forces for the purposes of arms control, but the USA has equally persistently refused.
Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA). The limit of the farthest forward area in which main force ground combat units are deployed, excluding areas occupied by covering and screening units. Used as a point of reference in the coordination of fire support, and the manoeuvre and positioning of units.
Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT). The front line of one’s own units, usually formed by covering and reconnaissance forces. It is usually forward of the
FEBA.
Foss, Maj Joseph Jacob (b. l915). US. Marine Corps Grumman F4F Wildcat pilot and winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor who destroyed 26 Japanese aircraft in a brief but spectacular combat career while flying with VMF-121 from Henderson Field. Guadalcanal between October 1942 and January 1943. He subsequently became Governor of South Dakota and a brigadier general in the Air National Guard.
World History
