|
Once in control of North Viet Nam after the war with the French, the Vietnamese Communists began their effort to seize control of South Viet Nam. Laos' future was determined in large measure by this much larger struggle--the Vietnamn War. A 14-nation conference was convened in Geneva to end the Laotian Civil War. The outcome was an agreement to create a neutral Laos under a unified government (1962). A provisional coalition government with representatives of all the different factions was set up with Prince Souvanna Phouma as premier. The attempt to unify the three separate military units failed. The Pathet Lao began attacking the neutralist forces. Open warfare brokeout (1963). Only the North Vietnamese were willing to commit combat troops to Laos. Strengthen by Norrth Vietnamese troops and supplies, the Pathet Lao was able to gain control over much of northern an eastern Laos. This was important because it gave the North Vietnamese access to unimpeded supply routes to support Viet Cong operatiojs in South Vietnam. Military leaders disturbed with the Pathet Lao and Vietnamese incursions staged a coup (1964). They attempted to force Souvanna Phouma to resign. The United States and the Soviet Union refused to recognize the coup leaders. Souvanna Phouma thus retained the premioership, but with a right-wing neutralist government. It is at this time that President Johnson decided tgo intervene heavily with combat units to support South Vietnam. He also ordered the bombing of North Vietnam, primarily to limit supplies reaching the Viet Cong in the south (1965). The CIA conducted a largely secret para-military operation in Laos resisting Communist control of the country. The operation was largely successful until the American withdrawl from Vietnam. [Helms] Walter Rostow who suceeded Bundy as National security Adviser insited that the United States could have ended the War quickly if it had moved into Laos to cut the supplies flowing south over the Ho Chi Min Trail. [Appy] As a result, Pathet Lao guerrilla activity decreased. The American bombing also targeted the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This was the North Vietnamese supply route in eastern Laos just west of border of North and South Vietnam. The bombing at first targeted eastern Laos, but not the extendion on into Cambodia. Communist pressure increased during 1969 when the Viet Cong launched the Tet Offendive. Pathet Lao forces launched several major offensives against South Viet Nam (early 1970). South Vietnam responded with incursions into Laos to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail (early 1971). The North Vietnamese fell back to safer areas deeper into Laos making the country another battleground of the Vietnam War. The United States targeted the Vietnamese with air raids deeper into Laos. The United states entered the war in Lsos in several ways. First the United States provided military and economic aid to the Laotian government. Secpnd, it armed the Hmong tribes who were strongly opposed to the North Vietnamese. The Hmong also fought in South Vietnam. Third, the United States also financed Thai mercenary troops. Their numbers reached 21,000 men (1972). The Pathet Lao, supported by North Vietnamese supplies and combat troops, achieved major victories and exerted control over more than two thirds of Laotian territory, but only about a third of the country's population. Heavy fighting fighting occurred for several years. A cease-fire was finally negotiated (February 1973). An agreement between the Government and the Pathet Lao was concluded (September 1973). This was the same time the Paris Peace accords ending the Viet Nam War were and enablong the withdraw of American combat firces were approved. The agreement involved the formation of a coalition government under Souvanna Phouma (April 1974). The agreement orivided for the stationing of an equal number of government and Pathet Lao troops in both capitals. Another provision was the withdrawal of all foreign troops and advisers.
Once in control of North Viet Nam after the war with the French, the Vietnamese Communists began their effort to seize control of South Viet Nam. Laos' future was determined in large measure by this much larger struggle--the Vietnamn War.
A 14-nation conference was convened in Geneva to end the Laotian Civil War. The outcome was an agreement to create a neutral Laos under a unified government (1962).
A provisional coalition government with representatives of all the different factions was set up with Prince Souvanna Phouma as premier. The attempt to unify the three separate military units failed. The Pathet Lao began attacking the neutralist forces.
Open warfare brokeout (1963). Only the North Vietnamese were willing to commit combat troops to Laos. Strengthen by North Vietnamese troops and supplies, the Pathet Lao was able to gain control over much of northern an eastern Laos. This was important because it gave the North Vietnamese access to unimpeded supply routes to support Viet Cong operatiojs in South Vietnam.
Military leaders disturbed with the Pathet Lao and Vietnamese incursions staged a coup (1964). They attempted to force Souvanna Phouma to resign. The United States and the Soviet Union refused to recognize the coup leaders. Souvanna Phouma thus retained the premioership, but with a right-wing neutralist government.
It is at this time that President Johnson decided tgo intervene heavily with combat units to support South Vietnam. He also ordered the bombing of North Vietnam, primarily to limit supplies reaching the Viet Cong in the south (1965). The CIA conducted a largely secret para-military operation in Laos resisting Communist control of the country. The operation was largely successful until the American withdrawl from Vietnam. [Helms] Walter Rostow who suceeded Bundy as National security Adviser insited that the United States could have ended the War quickly if it had moved into Laos to cut the supplies flowing south over the Ho Chi Min Trail. [Appy] As a result, Pathet Lao guerrilla activity decreased. The American bombing also targeted the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This was the North Vietnamese supply route in eastern Laos just west of border of North and South Vietnam. The bombing at first targeted eastern Laos, but not the extendion on into Cambodia.
Communist pressure increased during 1969 when the Viet Cong launched the Tet Offendive. Senator John Cooper (Republican from Kentucky) worked to prevent American con\mbat troops fighting in Laos. Finall after several failed attempts, the Senatev passed a measure limiting U.S. activities in Laos and Thailand. The bill authorizing $23.2 Billion for the Vietnam War included a provision prohibiting the introduction of U.S. combat troops into Laos and Thailand (December 18, 1969).
Pathet Lao forces launched several major offensives against South Viet Nam (early 1970).
News of expanding U.S. involvement in Laos and Cambodia was made public when 1969 Senate transcripts were released (March-April 1970). Senators McGovern, Hughes, Cranston, Goodell, and Hatfield explained plans to introduce an "end the war" amendment which would cut funds for military operations in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (May 2, 1970). The North Vietnamese fell back to safer areas deeper into Laos making the country another battleground of the Vietnam War. One of the most important battles of the Vietnam War was fought in Laos. More than 20 North Vietnamese battalions assaulted positions held by some 10,000 Lao, Thai, and Hmong defenders. The action was not well reported in the press at the time. This was in essence a battle over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The first battle for Skyline Ridge began over the Long Tieng base (March 20, 1970). Long Tieng was an important Laotian military base located in Xiangkhouang Province. It was a town and airbase through which the Central Intelligence Agency could supply the Laotian Army and disrupt the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The CIA referred to it as Lima Site 98 (LS 98) and Lima Site 20A (LS 20A). The North Vietnamese took the higher ground and fired down on Long Tieng. Reinforcements arrived to hold the position and the North Vietnamese retreated (March 26). [Leary] South Vietnam responded with incursions into Laos to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail (early 1971).
The United States targeted the North Vietnamese with air raids deeper into Laos. The United States entered the war in Laos in several ways. First the United States provided military and economic aid to the Laotian government. Second, it armed the Hmong tribes who were strongly opposed to the North Vietnamese. The Hmong also fought in South Vietnam. Third, the United States also financed Thai mercenary troops. Their numbers reached 21,000 men (1972).
The Pathet Lao, supported by North Vietnamese supplies and combat troops, achieved major victories and exerted control over more than two thirds of Laotian territory, but only about a third of the country's population. Heavy fighting fighting occurred for several years. A cease-fire was finally negotiated (February 1973).
Due to continued bombing of Laos and Cambodia, The U.S. House of Representatives voted (219-188) for the first time to cut-off Indochina funds (May 10). The U.S. Senate followed up the House action by prohibiting the use of any funds appropriated by Congress to be used for combat activities in Laos or Cambodia (May 31).
An agreement between the Government and the Pathet Lao was concluded (September 1973). This was the same time the Paris Peace accords ending the Viet Nam War were enabling the withdraw of American combat forces were approved. The agreement involved the formation of a coalition government under Souvanna Phouma (April 1974). The agreement provided for the stationing of an equal number of government and Pathet Lao troops in both capitals. Another provision was the withdrawal of all foreign troops and advisers.
Appy, Christian G. Patriots: The Vietnam War Remembered from All Sides (Viking), 574p.
Helms, Richard with William Hood. A Look over my Shoulder: A Life in the Central Intelligence Agency (Random House, 2003), 478p.
Leary, William M. "The CIA and the 'Secret War' in Laos: The Battle for Skyline Ridge, 1971-1972, The Journal of Military History Society for Military History (1995).
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Laotian history page]
[Return to the Main Vietnam War page]
[Return to the Main Asian history page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Cloth and textiles]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Topics]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing national pages:
[Return to the Main Laotian page]
[Return to the Main Asian page]
[Afghanistan]
[Bangladesh]
[Bhutan]
[Cambodia]
[China]
[India]
[Pakistan]
[Sri Lanka]
[Tajikistan]
[Turkmenistan]
[Uzbeckistan]
