Battle for Skyline Ridge: The CIA Secret War in Laos

In late 1971, the People's Army of Vietnam launched Campaign Z into northern Laos, aiming to defeat the last Royal Lao Army troops. General Giap's orders were to kill the CIA army under command of Vang Pao and occupy its field headquarters in the Long Tieng valley. Despite the odds being overwhelmingly in the NVA's favour, the battle did not go to plan, and it all came down to Skyline Ridge. James Parker served in Laos and pieced together his own knowledge with CIA files and North Vietnamese after-action reports to tell the full story of the battle.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2023
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

In late 1971, the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) initiated Campaign Z, escalating the war in Laos with the ultimate goal of defeating the remaining Royal Lao Army (RLA) troops. The PAVN deployed a formidable force of 27,000 troops, equipped with 130mm field guns and T-34 tanks. Additionally, the North Vietnamese Air Force (NVAF) launched MiG-21s into Lao airspace to support their offensive. General Giap, the commander of the PAVN, issued specific orders to this task force, directing them to eliminate the CIA army under the command of Hmong warlord Vang Pao and occupy its field headquarters in the Long Tieng valley of northeast Laos.

However, they encountered a formidable adversary in the form of Vang Pao's rag-tag army, consisting of fewer than 6,000 strong and primarily Thai irregulars. The Thai army had recruited these individuals to fight for the CIA in Laos. By the time the PAVN launched its first attack, approximately 4,000 Tahan Sua Pran had been recruited, armed, trained, and rapidly deployed in Laos to defend against the impending NVA invasion. These troops were reinforced by Vang Pao's indigenous army of 1,800 Lao hill tribe guerrillas.

Despite the overwhelming odds favoring the PAVN, the battle at Skyline Ridge did not unfold as planned. It became the longest battle of the Vietnam War, lasting over 100 days. The outcome of the battle was critical, as it determined the fate of Laos. Similar to Dien Bien Phu, the victor at Skyline Ridge would ultimately control the country.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges, the NVA managed to lose the battle. Their 27,000-man invasion force was decimated, marking a significant setback for the PAVN. The loss was attributed to various factors, including the bravery and resilience of Vang Pao's troops, the effectiveness of US air support, and the strategic mistakes made by the PAVN.

To shed light on the events of Skyline Ridge, James Parker, who served in Laos, embarked on a mission to piece together his own knowledge, supplemented with CIA files and North Vietnamese after-action reports. His efforts resulted in the publication of "Skyline Ridge: The Battle for Laos," which provides a comprehensive account of this pivotal battle.

Parker's book delves into the background, tactics, and outcomes of the battle, offering a detailed account of the actions of both the PAVN and Vang Pao's forces. He sheds light on the challenges faced by the PAVN, including their logistical difficulties and the terrain that favored Vang Pao's troops. Parker also highlights the bravery and resilience of Vang Pao's army, which managed to hold off the PAVN's offensive despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned.

Furthermore, the book explores the strategic implications of the battle. Skyline Ridge marked a turning point in the Vietnam War, as it demonstrated the limitations of the PAVN's capabilities and the resilience of the RLA. The battle also highlighted the importance of US air support in countering the PAVN's offensive and the need for a coordinated international effort to address the conflict in Laos.

In conclusion, the battle of Skyline Ridge was a pivotal moment in the Vietnam War, with far-reaching consequences for the region. James Parker's book "Skyline Ridge: The Battle for Laos" provides a comprehensive account of this significant event, shedding light on the actions, strategies, and outcomes of the battle. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the Vietnam War and the role played by individual soldiers and commanders.

Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636242187