Why did the US bomb Laos during the Vietnam War?
A ground war involving US soldiers in Laos was not an option. The CIA saw bombing Laos as a less risky option to cut off the communist supply lines on the Ho Chi Minh Trail before it could be used against American forces in Vietnam War.
Was Laos bombed during the Vietnam War?
Regardless, by the end of the conflict in 1975, Laos emerged from nine years of war just as devastated as any of the other Asian participants in the Vietnam War….Operation Barrel Roll.
| Date | 14 December 1964 – 29 March 1973 |
|---|---|
| Location | Northeastern Laos |
| Result | Strategic US failure Failure to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail |
What happened to the country of Laos during the Vietnam War?
Laos Bombing Casualties and Legacy By 1975, one-tenth of the population of Laos, or 200,000 civilians and members of the military, were dead. Twice as many were wounded. Seven hundred and fifty thousand, a full quarter of the population, had become refugees—including General Vang Pao himself.
How many times did the US bomb Laos?
From 1964 to 1973, the U.S. dropped more than two million tons of ordnance on Laos during 580,000 bombing missions—equal to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24-hours a day, for 9 years – making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history.
Why did the US Bomb Cambodia and Laos?
Nixon believed North Vietnam was transporting troops and supplies through neighboring Cambodia into South Vietnam. He hoped that bombing supply routes in Cambodia would weaken the United States’ enemies. The bombing of Cambodia lasted until August 1973.
Why did the US bomb Laos in 1965?
The bombings were part of the U.S. Secret War in Laos to support the Royal Lao Government against the Pathet Lao and to interdict traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The bombings destroyed many villages and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lao civilians during the nine-year period.
Why did the US get involved in Laos?
The U.S. aim as the war went on basically became: use Laos as a charnel house, where most of the reason for the fight was to occupy North Vietnamese Army and to kill as many North Vietnamese as possible — the theory being that then, they could not be involved in the fight in Vietnam.
Who won the Laos war?
The North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao eventually emerged victorious in 1975, as part of the general communist victory in all of former French Indochina that year. A total of up to 300,000 people from Laos fled to neighbouring Thailand following the Pathet Lao takeover.
How many Laotians died in Vietnam War?
28,000 62,000
Total number of deaths
| Low estimate of deaths | Middle estimate of deaths | |
|---|---|---|
| Subtotal Vietnam | 1,156,000 | 2,115,000 |
| Cambodians | 273,000 | 273,000 |
| Laotians | 28,000 | 62,000 |
| Grand total of war deaths: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos (1954–75) | 1,450,000 | 2,450,000 |
Why did the US stop bombing Cambodia?
Nixon decided to keep the bombing a secret from the American people as to admit to bombing an officially neutral nation would damage his credibility and because bombing Cambodia seem like he was escalating the war.
What is the most bombed country?
Laos
From 1964 to 1973, the U.S. dropped more than two million tons of ordnance on Laos during 580,000 bombing missions—equal to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes, 24-hours a day, for 9 years – making Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history.