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Operation Lam Son Case Study

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Operation Lam Son 719, named after South Vietnam General Lam in 1971 along Route 9, was one of the biggest aviation asset, personnel losses, and one of the most disastrous operations of the Vietnam War. The operational intent was to stop the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) from continuing its supply route and stronghold on the Ho Chi Minh trail and Base Area 604 in Laos. The hasty operation was supposed to serve two purposes; assist the shift of power for the war to allow for treaty possible discussions and to validate Army of the Republic of South Vietnam’s (ARVN) ability to design and maintain operational control as the allied forces pulled out. The operation seemed to be doomed to fail from its inception.

It was mid-summer 1968; the Vietnam War has been ongoing for several years. The American public as well as many of the allied countries did not support the war or its objectives so any news of the war received with mild protest and uneasiness. As the political structure of Southern Vietnam reestablished itself and United States political status with the war, President Nixon made a promise to the American people that he had a plan to …show more content…

Around late summer 1970, the NVA was growing stronger in forces and still maintained great control over the Ho Chi Minh trail and Laos. The importance of the control of this trail was no secret and US military leaders advised ARVN Senior leaders of its importance. US forces received intelligence of NVA’s offensive plan to move further south into ARVN’s stronger bases, General Creighton Abrams suggested that allied forces strike first. Intelligence reports believed the attack would help target more political unrest with upcoming elections in 1972. The operational planning began in December 1970 and officially received authorization for the offensive strategy on 07 January

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