A Raid Too Far

Operation Lam Son 719 and Vietnamization in Laos

Nonfiction, History, Military, Vietnam War, Asian, Americas, United States, 20th Century
Cover of the book A Raid Too Far by James H. Willbanks, Texas A&M University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James H. Willbanks ISBN: 9781623491178
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press Publication: February 2, 2014
Imprint: Texas A&M University Press Language: English
Author: James H. Willbanks
ISBN: 9781623491178
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Publication: February 2, 2014
Imprint: Texas A&M University Press
Language: English

In February 1971, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) launched an incursion into Laos in an attempt to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail and destroy North Vietnamese Army (NVA) base areas along the border. This movement would be the first real test of Vietnamization, Pres. Richard Nixon’s program to turn the fighting over to South Vietnamese forces as US combat troops were withdrawn. US ground forces would support the operation from within South Vietnam and would pave the way to the border for ARVN troops, and US air support would cover the South Vietnamese forces once they entered Laos, but the South Vietnamese forces would attack on the ground alone.

The operation, dubbed Lam Son 719, went very well for the first few days, but as movement became bogged down the NVA rushed reinforcements to the battle and the ARVN forces found themselves under heavy attack. US airpower wreaked havoc on the North Vietnamese troops, but the South Vietnamese never regained momentum and ultimately began to withdraw back into their own country under heavy enemy pressure.

In this first in-depth study of this operation, military historian and Vietnam veteran James H. Willbanks traces the details of battle, analyzes what went wrong, and suggests insights into the difficulties currently being incurred with the training of indigenous forces.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In February 1971, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) launched an incursion into Laos in an attempt to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail and destroy North Vietnamese Army (NVA) base areas along the border. This movement would be the first real test of Vietnamization, Pres. Richard Nixon’s program to turn the fighting over to South Vietnamese forces as US combat troops were withdrawn. US ground forces would support the operation from within South Vietnam and would pave the way to the border for ARVN troops, and US air support would cover the South Vietnamese forces once they entered Laos, but the South Vietnamese forces would attack on the ground alone.

The operation, dubbed Lam Son 719, went very well for the first few days, but as movement became bogged down the NVA rushed reinforcements to the battle and the ARVN forces found themselves under heavy attack. US airpower wreaked havoc on the North Vietnamese troops, but the South Vietnamese never regained momentum and ultimately began to withdraw back into their own country under heavy enemy pressure.

In this first in-depth study of this operation, military historian and Vietnam veteran James H. Willbanks traces the details of battle, analyzes what went wrong, and suggests insights into the difficulties currently being incurred with the training of indigenous forces.

More books from Texas A&M University Press

Cover of the book The Tornado by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Spirit by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Texas Aggies in Vietnam by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book The Martial Imagination by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Lens on the Texas Frontier by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Landscaping with Edible Plants in Texas by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Dry Creek by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Cadets on Campus by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Fallen Stars by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Pickers and Poets by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Benthic Foraminifera of the Gulf of Mexico by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Transnational Indians in the North American West by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book The Lifelong Impact of 4-H by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Lessons from Hurricane Ike by James H. Willbanks
Cover of the book Texas Woollybacks by James H. Willbanks
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy