"Lam Son 719" Topic

"Lam Son 719 was the first major test of the U. S. Vietnamization policy. Elements of the 1st Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Corps were supposed to interdict a portion of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the supply route for the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in southeastern Laos. Both sides claimed victory, but it is generally acknowledged that the PAVN won the battle.

The Cambodian Incursion (April 29-July 22, 1970) to disrupt PAVN supply operations in Cambodia, despite the domestic political fallout in the United States, was deemed a success by President Richard Nixon, as well as by the commander of Miltary Assitance Command Vietnam (MACV), General Creighton Abrams. In late 1970, a similar operation was proposed for southeastern Laos, near the DMZ. In December, President Nixon gave his consent to the operation, and planning began for a joint ARVN-MACV cross-border attack. However, the Cooper-Church Amendment passed and signed into law on December 22, forbid U. S. ground forces from operating in Laos and Cambodia, but it did allow the United States to provide air and indirect fire support to ARVN forces. The plan then became an ARVN operation backed by U. S. air and artillery support…."

Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

Very interesting operation. Sadly if it showed one thing, some of the ARVN didn't preform that well on their own. A preview of things to come it appeared …

and yet they could hold An Loc a few years later, in a particularly heavy siege. Hopeless, incompetent and corrupt leadership will make any nation's military useless. Classic was Italy WWII, a country that could produce almost suicidally brave special forces, completely contrary to the popular impression. ARVN Marines or Rangers could hold their own I think. Let us face it, they were the same nation as the VC (I suspect a lot of the time they were the same folk!)

Yes, all that is true. Plus at An Loc[board wargamed many times] there were US Advisors, Gunships and CAS, etc., also.

They preformed generally better at An Loc than they did at Lam Son 719. Read an excellent book on 719 years ago.

And in many cases ARVN units varied in quality, competence, etc.

I guess it is just that I followed the siege of An Loc night after night on the BBC that it has stuck in my memory. It is rarely mentioned in VN histories now (was there a Xuan Loc or something very similar?)

Can well imagine it was air support that made all the difference, but that could be said of many a USA or USMC besieged unit a few years earlier. The thing was they did not turn tail and run (were they surrounded?).

Anyway, I know someone famously asked "Why are their Vietnamese so much better than our Vietnamese?"

Easier to use links than posting my own comments. More detailed, etc., too !

An Loc '72 was a tactical ARVN/SVN victory and yes US Air, Naval, etc., firepower a long with US Advisors were important in defeating the NVA/PAVN and VC/NLF.
link

Can well imagine it was air support that made all the difference, but that could be said of many a USA or USMC besieged unit a few years earlier.

Yes the proper use of supporting firepower is the way it is supposed to be done. Even today … But once again fear of CD limits it currently.

The thing was they did not turn tail and run (were they surrounded?).

vnafmamn.com/Valiant_Anloc.html

Xuan Loc was the last major battle of Vietnam War in '75. link

I know someone famously asked "Why are their Vietnamese so much better than our Vietnamese?"

I forget who said that but it was probably more than one US Officer/NCO/Trooper in Vietnam !

Also Cobras at An Loc – link

Brilliant links.

I am a Napoleonic Nerd. I am also reasonable on WWII, esp Free French Armour, Royal Navy Landing Craft, Pearl Harbour or Finnish Airforce, but, for Vietnam, I rely totally on what I learnt every night, that I got home from school/College/Uni, from the BBC. An Loc/Xuan Loc….heard of both, but remember the former so well. An ARVN Khe Sanh we thought at the time.

Glad to help ! I know a large number of Vietnam Vets. I like to honor them by at least posting good information, links, etc.

Having dinner meeting with a number of them from the Military Officer's Assoc. on Thursday. I was honored when they asked me to be on staff. I look forward to some more good "war stories" from those who were there.

Thanks my good friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand