Fighting in Laos. collapse of the royal army

Brief historical and geographical reference

Laos - a state in Southeast Asia, on the Indochina peninsula. It borders China in the north, Vietnam in the northeast and east, Cambodia in the south, Thailand in the west, and Burma in the northwest. In fact, from the end of the 19th century until the beginning of World War II, it was a zone of French influence, it was part of the Indochinese Union (French Indochina). In 1941 he was captured Japanese troops. In the course of the struggle against the invaders, the anti-colonial movement Lao Issara (Free Laos) arose in the country, the active figures of which were Prince Souphanouvong and Prince Souvanna Fuma. After the surrender of Japan in 1945 and the success of the uprising against French domination, the independence of the country was proclaimed on October 12, 1945, called Pathet Lao ("Lao country"). However, in early 1946, the French defeated the Pathet-Lao army and occupied the country, which, in turn, intensified the guerrilla movement. On August 27, 1946, France was forced to sign an agreement under which Laos received internal autonomy, and in May 1947 it was declared constitutional monarchy under the protectorate of France. In July 1949, the independence of Laos within the framework of the French Union was recognized.

Despite the formal independence of the country, the active wing of Lao Issar, which had disintegrated by this time, continued the armed struggle for independence under the leadership of Prince Souphanouvong. On August 13, 1950, the creation of the United National Front of Laos (Neo Lao Itsala) was formalized and formed national government liberation. It functioned in a number of areas of Laos, in parallel with the activities of the royal government, supported by the French authorities. By the beginning of the 1950s, border countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia were drawn into the orbit of the civil war in Laos. In the spring of 1953, at the request of the national government of liberation, Vietnamese volunteer units entered the country and took part in the struggle against the French authorities. Officially, this became possible after the creation of the United National Front of Indochina on March 11, 1951 at a joint conference of representatives of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Successful offensive the rebels forced France (under an agreement with the royal government of October 22, 1953) to recognize Laos independent state. At the Geneva Conference of Foreign Ministers (1954), the country's independence was international recognition. Under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, French troops and Vietnamese volunteers were withdrawn from the country.

The Government of Laos undertook to hold a National Assembly in 1955 and provide opposing sides equal rights. However, in September 1954, Souvanna Fuma, who had been Prime Minister of the royal government since 1951, was removed from power. In his place was appointed the leader of the National Party (founded in 1947), Kataya Don Sasorita, who took a pro-American position. Soon, government troops launched an offensive against the country's northern provinces of Hua Phan and Phongsami, where parts of the Pathet Lao, the armed forces of Neo Lao Itsal, were concentrated. Significant assistance in the fight against the partisans was provided by the US CIA and "certain American military personnel who performed" special assignments ". In turn, the Pathet-Lao fighters were supported by the Chinese Communists, who sent not only weapons to the country, but also volunteers who took part in the hostilities .

American attempts to take the place of the French, who left the country in 1955, immediately served as a pretext for the creation of an "anti-imperialist" movement led by Kong Le.

In December 1955, the government held elections for the National Assembly, but removed Neo Lao Itsala from participation in them, in violation of the Geneva Accords. This in turn entailed the transformation of the movement on January 6, 1956 into the Neo Lao Haksat (Patriotic Front of Laos - PFL).

In March 1956, a government came to power, which was again headed by Prince Souvanna Fuma. In 1957-1958, a number of documents were signed between the conflicting parties, known as the Vientiane Accords. In accordance with the agreement, a coalition government (government of national unity) was formed, headed by Prince Souvanna Fuma. It included two representatives of the PFL, which received the status of a legal party. In addition, the inclusion of two Pathet-Lao battalions in the royal army was envisaged. According to Western observers, the reorganization of Neo Lao Itsala into the Patriotic Front of Laos and its rapprochement with the government were associated with the growing influence of the Chinese Communists on the opposition movement. The fear of losing their independence prompted the leaders of the PFL to seek a compromise with Souvanna Fuma.

In May 1958, by-elections were held for the National Assembly. PFL received 13 deputy mandates (out of 20). In the provinces of Hua Phan and Phongsali, a royal administration began to be created with the participation of representatives of the PFL.

At the same time, anti-government forces began to consolidate, demanding the annulment of the Vientiane agreements and the removal of Prince Souvanna Phuma. At the end of 1958, the government of national unity was overthrown, the activities of the PFL were banned, and in May 1959, Prince Souphanouvong and other leaders of the PFL were arrested. The new policy of the country contributed to the strengthening of foreign influence, mainly American, which caused discontent among some part of the Laotian population.

On August 9, 1960, a battalion of paratroopers under the command of the leader of the "anti-imperialist" movement, Captain (later General) Kong Le, carried out a coup d'état. Soon the new government was once again headed by Prince Souvanna Fuma. It announced a policy of peace, neutrality and internal harmony and was supported by the PFL. Gradually, an alliance of neutralists began to take shape, uniting in 1961 into the Neutralist Party - Lao Pen Kang.

At the same time, in September 1960, in the South of the country, in opposition to the government of Fuma, a Revolutionary Committee was created, headed by Prince Bun Um and General Nosavan. By the end of 1960, hostilities broke out between these "governments". The Revolutionary Committee was supported by the United States and its allies in SEATO, and the Fuma government, which united with the PFL, was supported by a number of socialist countries and the USSR. The victory of the consolidated forces of Souvanna Phouma and the PFL suited Moscow in many ways. This time "sympathy", according to Western observers, was dictated by the Soviet-Chinese differences. The transformation of Laos into a "neutral state" was more acceptable for the USSR than the continuation of the construction of a "communist society of the Chinese model" in the country.

In December 1960, two Soviet squadrons of military transport aviation (Il-14 aircraft, later Li-2, Mi-4 helicopters) were urgently sent to Vietnam. For six months, eight crews of Il-14 aircraft of the 136th OTAE carried out 1-2 sorties daily to the territory of Laos. One of the crews included A.F. Owl. The detachment was based in Hanoi and delivered small arms and cannon weapons, ammunition, equipment, fuel and food to the landing sites in the valley of Kuvshinov. Often, aircraft landings and unloadings occurred in the course of conducting local residents military operations. Cargo was also delivered by parachute, especially to those areas of Laos where the planes could not land. During one of the sorties (February 17, 1961), the crew of Senior Lieutenant Alexander Sukhorukov was shot down by anti-aircraft fire from the opposition group, resulting in the death of seven people (five crew members: Vylepchikov, Menshikov, Pachachmatov, Solomin, Sukhorukov and two Vietnamese escorts) .

In addition to assistance in the delivery of military cargo, Laos requested fighter jets from the USSR, and pilots from China. Moscow agreed to supply the planes, while Beijing refused pilots.

Two years later, the conflict in Laos was resolved through negotiations. As a result, on June 11, 1962, a government of national unity was created (Prime Minister Souvanna Fuma), which included representatives of the three political forces of Laos - the neutralists, the PFL and the Bun Uma - Nosavan grouping. Following this, on July 23, 1962 in Geneva, at an international meeting of 14 countries convened to resolve the Lao problem, the Declaration of Neutrality of Laos and the Protocol to the Declaration of Neutrality were signed. The Government of National Unity announced the adoption of a program to conduct an independent foreign policy and build united state.

However, the situation of "peace and harmony" did not last long. On April 1, 1963, the neutralist Foreign Minister Vinim Folsen was assassinated, and the PFL left Vientiane. In the current situation, the leaders of the Front at the 2nd Congress, which was held on April 6-10, 1964, decided to "fight under new conditions" and called on the people to partisan struggle. On April 19 of the same year, an attempted coup was made in the capital. Some members of the government were arrested, but soon, under pressure from the world community, they were released. In June 1964, Souvanna Fuma reorganized the government, which led to the removal of the leaders of the PFL from power.

Despite the attempts of all parties interested in the affairs of Laos to resolve the issue by diplomatic and political methods, the military conflict on its territory continued to grow. To a large extent, it was fueled by the expansion of the Vietnam War.

Since the summer of 1964, the United States has stepped up military intervention in the affairs of Laos, using its territory as a springboard for hostilities in Indochina. Against parts of the PFL and the North Vietnamese, an American bomber aircraft. To strengthen the military capabilities of the royal government of Laos, mobile groups of White Star military advisers and instructors were sent to the country, which included mainly military personnel from the special forces of the US ground forces. population royal army was increased to 74.2 thousand. Increased volumes of US military aid coming to Laos from Thailand through channels American management international development. Its Lao branch, as well as other US organizations in Laos, employed military advisers and technicians under the guise of civilians to train and support government forces.

In response, the Soviet Union began to provide more active military assistance to the Patriotic Front of Laos. Through territory North Vietnam supplies of artillery, ammunition, fuel and food began to be carried out. Soviet specialists and instructors were sent to the country. From 1960 to December 1970, their number, according to official figures, was 113 regular military personnel, 3 of whom died.

From the spring of 1967, the US CIA began to implement a new strategy of "increasing pressure on North Vietnam." In the words of a CIA instructor in Laos: "In the late spring, we made a turn from intelligence gathering to active combat under the motto "Hit and burn!". As part of the new strategy, plans were developed for more direct military actions, including raids and ambushes against the North Vietnamese and soldiers of the armed forces of the PFL - Laos People's Liberation Army... This, in turn, led to an increase in the number of CIA-supported special paramilitaries and American military specialists. offensive action Americans deployed throughout Laos. A large part of them were organized and controlled by the head of the CIA station in Vientiane, Ted Shackley. Moreover, according to the New York Times of January 10, 1976, the CIA military operations in Laos were carried out to a large extent at the expense of funds allocated to the Office for International Development (IDA) under the program for providing medical care in rural areas of the country. Considerable sums came into the accounts of the CIA and from the drug business, in which American intelligence was deeply involved with the outbreak of the war in Indochina. Planes of the CIA's private airline Air America made regular shuttle flights to the opium areas of the Golden Triangle, taking out drugs and supplying weapons from there. The whole operation was led by Theodor Shackley, already mentioned above, who later played a similar behind-the-scenes role in supporting Afghan Mujahideen in the 1980s.

One of the central places in the US strategy was to create a "private CIA army" from the Meo tribe and other mountain tribes of Laos. The number of this "army", according to some estimates, reached 35 thousand people.

In addition, various US bases operated in Laos, from CIA training camps to radar stations. For example, one of the positions of the TSQ-81 integrated radar system was located on the Fupati mountain range. It made it easier for American pilots to bomb targets in North Vietnam.

It should also be mentioned that significant US interest in Laos was also associated with operations to infiltrate the territory of the People's Republic of China. The CIA station in Northern Laos took on the role of bases for raids into China.

Since 1969, hostilities against the PFL have intensified. A number of major offensives were launched by government forces against partisan-controlled areas.

In early February 1971, South Vietnamese troops, supported by American aircraft, entered the territory of South Laos. The main target of the strike was the eastern edge of the Laotian ledge, where the "Ho Chi Minh Trail" lay, which had important military significance (the code name for the operation was "Lam Son 719"). Since May 1959, it has been the main channel for the covert transfer of people and the supply of weapons. Southern grouping North Vietnamese army.

Since 1964, the "path" began to turn into a well-fortified road of strategic importance. For its construction, battalions of engineering troops were used, which were supplied with Soviet and American materials. The work, which was led by Colonel Dong Si Nguyen, who later became Minister of Housing, went on throughout the ten years of the war. During this time, roads were laid, bridges were built that could withstand tanks and other combat vehicles.

The system was created air defense with underground towns, where it was planned to place repair shops, hospitals, food warehouses, fuel depots, etc. the number was more than 20 thousand fighters monthly.

The assault forces involved in the operation consisted mainly of units of the South Vietnamese army. Due to the Cooper-Church Amendment, US ground forces could not enter the territory of Laos and Cambodia. They did not have the right to cross the border of Laos along with units South Vietnam and American advisers, forward artillery observers and air gunners. Naturally, this made it difficult to coordinate the means of support for the United States and the strike units of the Saigon army. At the same time, American forces carried out "mopping-up operations" of South Vietnamese territory to the border of Laos and carried out massive air and artillery (from the territory of South Vietnam) support.

The offensive, launched on February 8, 1971, involved the airborne division, reinforced by the 1st armored brigade, the 1st infantry division and the brigade marines. Total population South Vietnamese units amounted to 17,000 soldiers and officers. They were opposed by the forces of the North Vietnamese army in the amount of 22,000 people: 7,000 in combat units, 10,000 in the rear and 5,000 Pathet Lao soldiers. They were reinforced by twenty air defense divisions, which had at their disposal 170-200 guns of calibers from 23 mm to 100 mm. By the end of the operation, which ended on March 23 with the defeat of the Saigon units, the North Vietnamese contingent had grown to 40,000 people - four infantry divisions (12 regiments), a tank regiment (mainly Soviet-made T-54 tanks) and several divisions of light and medium artillery and air defense systems .

On March 25, 1971, units of the South Vietnamese army that participated in the assault on the Ho Chi Minh Trail were driven into their territory. According to the report of the XXIV Corps, the total losses of the American-Saigon military personnel amounted to 9065 people - 1402 Americans (including 215 dead) and 7683 South Vietnamese (of which 1764 were killed). However, according to Newsweek magazine, published on April 5, 1971, only the losses of South Vietnam reached 9775 people, including 3800 killed. The Saigon army lost 211 trucks, 87 armored vehicles, 54 tanks, 96 artillery pieces and all engineering vehicles involved in the action (bulldozers, graders, etc.). Losses of the US helicopter fleet amounted to 108 destroyed and 618 damaged vehicles.

No less significant were the losses among the soldiers of the North Vietnamese army guarding the Ho Chi Minh Trail. They amounted to about 20,000 (including the wounded) people, or about half of the personnel of the units participating in the action. The North Vietnamese army lost 2,001 trucks (of which 422 were confirmed by ground forces), 106 tanks (88 confirmed), 13 artillery pieces, 170,346 tons of ammunition (20,000 tons confirmed) and 1,250 tons of rice.

Naturally, the actions of the United States caused backlash from the USSR and other socialist states. This found expression in the Appeal of the XXIV Congress of the CPSU "Freedom and Peace to the Peoples of Indochina" (April 1971), the Statement of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 15, 1970, the Statement of the Soviet Government of February 25, 1971, the Statement of the Heads of Government of eight socialist countries - the People's Republic of Belarus, Hungary , GDR, MPR, Poland, SRR, USSR and Czechoslovakia of May 14, 1970, Statement of the Political Consultative Council of the countries participating in the Warsaw Pact in connection with the aggravation of the situation in Indochina (December 2, 1970), Statement of the leaders of the socialist countries at a meeting in Crimea in July 1973 and others.

In October 1972, negotiations began between delegations from Souvanna Phouma's government and the PFL. On February 21, 1973, an Agreement was signed in Vientiane to restore peace and achieve national accord in Laos. It provided for the cessation of hostilities, the creation of an interim government of national unity, the holding of elections to the National Assembly and the withdrawal of foreign military personnel from the territory of the country.

In 1975, the Patriotic Front of Laos, which divided power in the country, seized full power and abolished the monarchy.

However, local hotbeds of armed confrontation were not extinguished. guerrilla war continued to lead the Meo tribes, at one time armed and trained at the expense of the CIA and fought against the Pathet Lao in the Valley of Jars. As a result of their actions in the Long Chen area, a Soviet helicopter was shot down. According to Newsweek on 23 August 1976, four of its crew members were killed.

Nevertheless, the coming to power of the Patriotic Front paved the way for the formation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, headed by Kayson Phomvihan.

Active cooperation between the country and the Soviet Union began, including in the military field.

At the end of December 1978, Major General A.G. arrived in Laos. Gaponenko, who led a group of Soviet military specialists (in April 1982 he was replaced by Major General Korsakov). Prior to that, an aviation group under the command of Colonel Kiyanitsa had been in the country for about a year and a half. Its tasks included additional training of Laotian pilots who had previously been trained in educational institutions in the USSR, and assisting in the formation internal structure Air Force. The group included specialists in logistics, aviation, medical services, aviation technicians, engineers, as well as pilots directly. By this time, several Soviet MiG-19 and MiG-21 fighters had been delivered to Laos.

With the arrival of General A.G. Gaponenko in Laos, an apparatus of Soviet military specialists began to form, which by the end of 1979 consisted of about 7-8 officers. About a year later, at the request of the Lao government, the status Soviet specialists the advisory apparatus was raised and created, to which all Soviet military personnel who arrived in the country began to obey. By 1982, in the office of the chief military adviser, Major General A.G. Gaponenko included about 30 advisers to the heads of military branches, services, educational institutions etc. Laotian army, to which more than 1,500 specialists were subordinate.

Thanks to the help of Soviet advisers and specialists in Laos, logistics services began to form, almost from scratch, learning structures, a repair and restoration base, etc. First of all, food for the servicemen was established: rations were worked out, field kitchens were supplied. Before that, in the Lao army, which was a separate partisan formations, each soldier and officer was given a daily ration: 700 g of dry rice, 30 g of salt and 20 g of pepper. Two hours were allotted for breakfast, lunch and dinner. During this time, a serviceman could get and cook additional food for himself: shoot or catch a bird, beast, reptile, etc. The work of Soviet specialists was complicated by severe climatic and natural conditions: heat below 60°, very high humidity, the presence of many poisonous insects, poor quality drinking water etc., which led to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

According to General A.G. Gaponenko, in the first years of his work in Laos there were a large number of American, English and Japanese military equipment.

Many machines had minor damage and malfunctions that could be repaired with necessary specialists. In this regard, at the request of the chief military specialist (later the chief military adviser), a repair and restoration battalion of about 500 people arrived in Laos from the Soviet Union. As the equipment was put into operation, separate battalions began to be created, for example, from American tanks, British armored personnel carriers, etc. At their base, Laotian military personnel were trained and trained to work with equipment supplied from the Soviet Union.

At the end of 1979, at the request of the Lao government, a sapper battalion specially formed in the USSR arrived in the country.

His task included the continuous demining of sections of the Kuvshinov Valley area, where the construction of a military airfield was planned. Looking ahead, we note that this airfield was built in the 1980s, also during direct participation Soviet experts.

Personnel The battalion consisted of about 200-240 Soviet military personnel under the command of 5 senior officers (with the rank of lieutenant colonel and colonel). General leadership demining was entrusted to the adviser to the head General Staff Laotian army on military engineering issues, Colonel V.P. Alexandrova. The work was carried out within six months. During this time, Soviet specialists, despite the difficult climatic conditions, more than 200,000 explosive ordnances, mainly anti-personnel pressure mines, were defused. During the war years, they were "scattered" from American aircraft using special cassettes to block the actions of rebel detachments based in the Valley of Jars.

In parallel with the demining of the territory, the training of Laotian military personnel was also carried out. This, in turn, according to Colonel V.P. Alexandrov, made it possible to prepare groups of sappers capable of performing independent work. Was created and Training Center in Banpen, which at the first stage prepared junior specialists: technicians, tank drivers, etc. Later this center was transformed into a military officers' school.

In total, according to official data, in 1961-1962 and 1974-1991, 1840 servicemen and civil servants of the Soviet army visited Laos through the Ministry of Defense, including 33 generals, 1136 officers, 89 warrant officers, 167 soldiers and sergeants, 415 workers and employees. The total losses of Soviet military personnel amounted to 8 people.

In 1992, the leader of Laos, Kayson Phomvihan, was elected president in the elections. A few months after this event, Kayson died, and Nuhak Phumsavan became his successor. As a result of his policies, the US restored its relations with Laos and lifted the embargo on aid to that country in 1995.

Notes:

Front national liberation Algiers was created on October 10, 1954 at a meeting of the commanders of the five zones (wilaya) and a representative of the group located in Egypt. At the same meeting, a decision was made to form the military wing of the Front - the National Liberation Army (ELN). The backbone of the Front and the ANO were the leaders of the paramilitary Security Organization (or Special Organization), which arose in 1947 - Ait Ahmed, Ben Bella, Kerim Belkasem, Ben Buland and others. The Security Organization, in turn, was created in 1946 (headed by Masali Hajj) on the basis of the Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms

Roy Jules. He was born on October 22, 1907 in the colonist settlement of Rovigo (Algeria) in the family of a gendarme. Participated in World War II and Korean Wars. Air Force Colonel. Author of the book "La Cuerre D" Algerie "(Paris, 1960).

reed Douglas. Controversy over Zion. M., 1993. S. 486.

Smirnov A. Arab-Israeli wars. M., 2003. S. 178.

Sharon Ariel- was born in 1928 in Palestine into a family of "Russian Jews" who left Russia in 1922. Grew up in the moshav (agricultural commune) of Kfar Malul. Participated in the first Arab-Israeli war, was seriously wounded. Founder and commander of the 101st Airborne Brigade, specializing in sabotage operations. He led the operation "Peace for Galilee" (1982), carried out in Lebanon with the aim of destroying the bases of the Palestine Liberation Organization. For this operation, he received the nickname "Lebanese butcher". Major General. Minister of Defense. In 2001 he was elected prime minister.

Brown F. unknown war. Secret War in Laos // Soldier of Fortune. 1996. No. 7. S. 20.

Adrianov G. Changes in the East // Svoboda (Munich). 1959. No. 4.S. four.

Big soviet encyclopedia. M, 1973. T. 14. S. 155.

Freedom. 1961. No. 5 (107). C. 1.

Sych Alexander Filimonovich - was born on November 7, 1937 in the village of Dernovka, Gomel region. He graduated from the Balashov Aviation School for Pilots and the Institute of Military Translators. He was on "special assignments" in Laos, Syria. Was awarded the order Red Star and 17 medals. Lieutenant colonel.

Sych A. In Laos. On Sat. Internationalists. Smolensk, 2001, p. 267.

Russia (USSR) in local wars and military conflicts of the second half of the 20th century. M., 200. S. 79.

Geneva Agreement on Laos. May 16, 1961-July 23, 1962 in Geneva (Switzerland) during the international meeting on the settlement of the Lao issue, a number of documents were signed: Declaration of Neutrality of Laos (its component- Statement of the government of Laos on neutrality of July 9, 1962) and the Protocol to the Declaration, providing for respect by the participants in the meeting of the sovereignty, independence, neutrality, unity and territorial integrity of Laos. The meeting was attended by representatives of Laos, the USSR, China, the DRV, Poland, the USA, France, Great Britain, India, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Thailand and South Vietnam. Representatives of three political forces in Laos were invited on an equal footing: Prince Souvanna Phuma - from the neutralists, Prince Souphanouvong - from the Patriotic Front of Laos, Prince Bun Um and General Phumy Nosavan - from the right-wing group. In June 1962, an agreement was reached to form a coalition government.

Russia (USSR) in the wars of the second half of the XX century. M., 2002. S. 191

Brown F.

The Laos People's Liberation Army was created in 1965 on the basis of the detachments of the Patriotic Front of Laos. The sources are often referred to as the Pathet-Lao formations - the armed detachments of the United National Front of Laos, which in 1956 became the base for the creation of the Patriotic Front of Laos.

Brown F. unknown war. Secret War in Laos // Soldier of Fortune. 1996. No. 7. S. 21.

The CIA through American eyes. Collection of materials of the foreign press. M., 1977. S. 153.

Marchetti V. Marks J. The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence. Alfred Knopf, New York, 1974. P.31-32.

By 1971, the royal armed forces numbered about 67.5 thousand people and 7 thousand people as part of the military police and territorial formations. The ground forces (65 thousand people) consisted of an armored cavalry regiment, approximately 70 separate infantry and light infantry battalions and special forces units. The Air Force, numbering about 2 thousand people, had over 50 combat aircraft and the Navy - several river landing ships.

Palkevich Ya. Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail // Soldier of Fortune. 1995. No. 7. S. 42.

Davidson F.B. Vietnam War (1946-1975). M., 2002. S. 624.

Davidson F.B. Vietnam War (1946-1975). M., 2002. S. 630.

The US XXIV Corps, under the command of Lieutenant General James W. Sutherland, supported the advancing units with helicopters, aircraft and artillery from the territory of South Vietnam.

Davidson F.B.

Davidson F.B. Vietnam War (1946-1975). M., 2002. S. 631.

The CIA through American eyes. Collection of materials of the foreign press. M., 1977. S. 227.

Gaponenko Alfred Grigorievich. Born October 12, 1931 on about. Khortytsya in Zaporozhye in the family of the chief engineer of the Zaporizhstal plant. From hereditary Cossacks. During the years of the Great Patriotic War(until 1943) was in the occupied territory with his grandmother. Was injured. In 1951 he graduated from school and entered the Kharkov Mining Institute. After completing the 1st course, he was called to Soviet army. Transferred to the Kharkov Guards Tank School, which he graduated in 1954. Was assigned to airborne troops. He commanded a platoon ASH-76 (Kyiv Military District), then a platoon of a training battalion. A year later he returned to tank forces. He held the positions of company commander, chief of staff of the battalion. In 1961 he entered the Academy of Armored Forces, from which he graduated with honors. He was assigned to the Belarusian Military District. Held positions: commander of a tank battalion (193rd tank division), chief of staff of the 31st tank regiment, 29th tank division (1965), commander of a training tank regiment, commander of the 339th armored regiment of the 120th tank division ( 1968). The ranks of major and lieutenant colonel received ahead of schedule. During the period Czechoslovak crisis was engaged in reconnaissance of lines as part of the Reserve of the Headquarters of the High Command to repel the alleged strike of NATO troops concentrated near the borders of Czechoslovakia. In 1970, commanding a regiment, he participated in the Dvina exercises, for which he was awarded the Order of the Red Star. Since 1970, he served as chief of staff of the 3rd Guards Tank Division of the 7th tank army, then commander of the 8th Guards Tank Division of the 5th Guards Tank Army. Since 1973 - major general. In 1975 he graduated from the Academy of the General Staff and was appointed chief of staff of the 11th Guards combined arms army Baltic VO. From December 1978 to March 1982 - chief military specialist and chief military adviser in Laos. Since 1982 - 1st Deputy Chief of Staff of the Transcaucasian Military District. After graduating from the Higher Officer Courses at the Academy of the General Staff, he was assigned to Moscow. Held positions: Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of Military Educational Institutions of the Ministry of Defense, Head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Armed Forces, Deputy Head of the Main Operational Management General Staff. Planned the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. Lieutenant general. Later - chief representative Commander-in-Chief of the Warsaw Pact in Romania. For organizing and conducting the evacuation of Soviet specialists from Romania, he was awarded the Order of Lenin. After the State Emergency Committee, he was dismissed from the ranks of the Armed Forces. Currently, he is Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Regional Committee of War Veterans and Military Service.

Interview with Lieutenant General A.G. Gaponenko 12.10.2005.

Alexandrov Vitaly Petrovich. Born December 28, 1934 in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). From 1949 to 1954 - a pupil, and then a private rifle regiment in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan). In 1957 he graduated from the Leningrad military engineering school them. Zhdanov. He served in a group of Soviet troops in Germany (1957-1962, commander of a pontoon platoon, Dresden), in TurkVO (1962-1963, commander of a pontoon company, Chardzhou, 1964-1971, commander of a training company engineer battalion of the 180th training division, Samarkand). In 1972-1973 served in the city of Kapchagay as commander of the SAVO engineer battalion). In 1973-1975. was a senior lecturer engineering service Alma-Ata Higher Combined Arms Command School. Marshal Konev. In 1975-1979 - head of the engineering service of the 1st army corps SAVO (Semipalatinsk). In 1975 he graduated (in absentia) from the Military Engineering Academy. Kuibyshev. From 1979 to 1982 - Advisor to the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army of Laos on military engineering issues. In 1982-1989 - Senior Lecturer at the Military Engineering Academy. Kuibyshev. Candidate of Military Sciences (1985), Associate Professor (1987). In August 1989, he was dismissed from the USSR Armed Forces to the seniority reserve. Reserve colonel.

The Lao Civil War (1960-1973; also known as the "Secret War" in the United States) was fought between the government of the country, supported by the United States and South Vietnam, and the Pathet Lao partisans, who received help from North Vietnam and the USSR.
The civil war continued with varying success until the early 1960s. key point it was the establishment of the coalition government of Souvanna Phouma on October 7, 1960. diplomatic relations with the USSR, as a result of which the Pathet Lao began to receive military, economic and other assistance from the Soviet Union, the DRV and other socialist countries. In December 1960, an aviation group was sent to Vietnam Soviet aircraft Il-14 (later - Li-2) and Mi-4 helicopters, which, by agreement between the USSR and Pathet Lao, assisted in the transportation of goods by air.

On January 1, 1961, Pathet-Lao troops occupied the strategically important area of the Valley of Jars - Xiangkhuang. Together with the North Vietnamese troops in the spring of that year, they launched a broad offensive and occupied two-thirds of the country's territory, where a third of the country's population lived.

On July 23, 1962, the Geneva Accords on Laos were signed and a second coalition government was created from representatives of all the main political groups in the country.

Since 1961 Democratic Republic Vietnam began to use the territory of southeastern Laos to supply the guerrillas of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, using the hidden "Ho Chi Minh trail".

In 1962, the Geneva Agreement on Laos was signed. However, in 1964 hostilities resumed. The war was actually fought on two fronts: in the central part of the country (especially in the Valley of Jars) there were battles between government troops and Pathet Lao, while southeastern regions, where the "Ho Chi Minh trail" passed, were attacked by American aircraft.

The Soviet Union, through the territory of North Vietnam, supplied artillery, ammunition, fuel and food for the Pathet Lao forces.

Not wanting publicity for their US intervention in this civil war (which was a violation of Lao neutrality), the CIA trained detachments of about 30,000 Laotians, mostly Miao-Hmong, led by General Wang Pao, an ethnic Miao. This secret army actively supported by US aviation. In turn, the regular North Vietnamese army actively participated in the battles on the side of the Pathet Lao, which was hidden by the North Vietnamese government.

During the war, the United States undertook a massive bombardment of the territory of Laos, while many civilian settlements and villagers suffered, and great damage was done to the economy and nature of Laos.

It was one of the largest covert operations, which cost US taxpayers an astronomical amount of money. About 3 million tons of bombs were dropped on the territory of Laos, an average of 10 tons per square kilometer and half a ton per inhabitant of Laos.

http://www.veterans.kz/index.php?p=360

The king of Laos in the post-war period failed to take full advantage of the absence of a French administration to achieve full independence. In 1946, France sent its troops into the country, but it was no longer able to fully restore the former colonial regime.

The United Kingdom of Laos was granted limited autonomy within the French Union. But under pressure freedom movement in the Kingdom of France in 1949 was forced to recognize the formal independence of Laos as part of the French Union. It was a significant step in achieving the independence of the country.

However, at the turn of the 1940s and 1950s, there was a split in the national liberation movement of Laos into left-wing patriotic and right-liberal directions. The right-liberal part, headed by Prince Suvannafuma, stood on the principles of conciliation with the French authorities and formed the basis of the royal government. But the left-wing nationalist minority group decided to continue the struggle for complete independence from the French colonialists. Both sides began to create their own armed formations. Left-wing patriotic forces in 1950 created the Free Laos Front (Neo Lao Itsala) and the government of the Resistance, headed by the leftist Prince Souphanouvong. The tragedy of Laos was that an armed conflict unfolded between these main forces, which lasted more than a quarter of a century.

In the early 1950s, radical left forces, having united in the United Front of Free Laos, began to create armed forces to fight against French troops. As a result of the extended war, control

the liberated territories lit by the front. In these areas, the national government formed there (Pathet-Lao) operated. The liberated areas were located mainly in the eastern part of the country, near the borders with Vietnam. In other areas, the royal government acted. Thus, Laos was divided into two parts: the Kingdom of Laos and the Liberated Areas controlled by the Pathet Lao government. For many years, the recognized leader of the royal, Vientiane power was Prince Suvannafuma, and Pathet Lao was headed by his half-brother Souphanouvong, who adhered to leftist views. He led the army of the anti-colonial movement. Military operations between government forces and the Pathet Lao went on with varying degrees of success. Sometimes the liberated areas covered up to two-thirds of the entire territory of Laos. At the same time, it should be taken into account that Vietnamese military units provided significant support to the liberated areas. This territory expanded and contracted depending on the successes on the fronts of the civil war.

At the 1954 Geneva Conference on Laos, steps were taken towards the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of peace. It was assumed that the granting of political independence to Laos and the agreement on the cessation of hostilities should have led the country to peace and harmony. At the Geneva Conference, an agreement was adopted to end the war in Laos and the withdrawal of foreign troops - both the French Union and Vietnam. The Geneva Conference recognized the full political independence of Laos. Under the 1947 constitution, independent Laos remained a constitutional monarchy. Sisawang Bong was recognized as head of state, king until 1959. The competence of the king included the appointment of the prime minister and the dissolution of the National Assembly. The withdrawal of troops and the recognition of the independence of Laos created the conditions for reconciliation of the parties. The royal government of Laos made concessions and agreed to bring in ministers from the Pathet Lao. The negotiation process dragged on for several years. The different political orientations of the parties did not allow to come to a quick agreement.

In the mid-1950s, radical left forces carried out a political regrouping. In 1955, on the basis of the Lao section of the former Communist Party of Indochina, the Laos People's Party was created, renamed in 1972 into the People's Revolutionary Party of Laos. The permanent head of the Communists until the end of his life and the General Secretary of the party was Kayson Phomvikhan. Until 1975, the party did not officially announce its existence, but it was she who became the core of the mass organization of the Patriotic Front of Laos (PFL) or Neo Lao Haksat, created on the basis of the Free Laos Front in 1956. The new front set the task of establishing the unity of the people in the struggle against the forces of reaction and the interventionists. Sufanuvong was elected chairman of the Patriotic Front, he also became deputy head of the Lao People's Party, deputy K. Phomvihapa. The Communists, under the guise of the Lao People's Party, acted under the slogans of national democracy and patriotism, until they put forward their socialist slogans and did not reveal their political orientation. But by providing complete guide Patriotic Front Laos, the party consistently achieved its communist goals. A certain cover for the activities of the communists was the "red" Prince Souphanouvong, a member royal family in Luang Prabhing. Born in 1909. Studied in Hanoi and Paris as a road engineer. He took the revolutionary path student years in Europe. At home, during the time of the French colonialists, he built roads and bridges, and in 1945 he led the anti-colonial army of the Lao Issara movement. He was seriously wounded and was being treated in Thailand.

In the first independent government, he served as minister of defense, minister of foreign affairs, and was commander in chief of the troops. He was a permanent member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the People's and then the People's Revolutionary (Communist) Party of Laos. Souphanouvong spoke many languages and understood Russian well.

Negotiations started in 1955 between the royal government of Suvannafuma and the Patriotic Front of Laos continued until 1957. Suvannafuma, unlike his half-brother, adhered to neutralist positions, and with his participation in August of this year a coalition government was formed, which included representatives of the royal administration and the Patriotic Front. The coalition proved to be short-lived. On the next year it collapsed, and in 1959 hostilities in the country resumed. Armed struggle alternated with periods of truce. The intervention of foreign states in the internal affairs of Laos also exacerbated the socio-political situation in the country.

In August 1960, a military coup took place, which resulted in the creation of a second coalition government headed by Prince Suwannofuma. The struggle for leadership of the country began to be carried out between three political factions - leftists led by Souphanouvong, rightist groups led by Bui Um and neutralists grouped around the head of the royal government of Suvannafuma. Aid to the prince came from the Soviet Union, and the invading North Vietnamese regulars took a heavy toll on US-backed right-wing militias. American politicians took part in the material supply and organization of economic and military assistance. The Laotian right, with the support of the United States, unleashed a civil war against the established temporary bloc of the PFL and the neutralists.

The new coalition government of national unity was re-established in 1662, and included representatives of the PFL, neutralists and rightists. The government's program provided for the restoration of peace, the development of the economy, and the pursuit of a neutralist foreign policy. These provisions were consolidated by the signing of the Declaration on international conference in Geneva in 1962, in which 14 countries participated. However, the program for the peaceful development of Laos was not implemented. After a series of political assassinations and as a result of a split in the neutralist group, the activity of the government of national unity was paralyzed. The split within the neutralists occurred over the prospects for cooperation with the PFL, which strengthened the positions of the right-wing forces. The country was again divided into two warring camps.

Since May 1964, US aerial bombardments and military operations by South Vietnamese troops began against the zone controlled by the PFL. A civil war broke out again, which lasted about 10 years. At the same time, the Patriotic Front received the necessary support from the USSR and North Vietnam, and the royal government received assistance from the United States and Thailand. In response to activation army units North Vietnam against the kingdom, the United States began to intensively bombard areas controlled by the front. In early 1971, into Lao territory

with air and artillery support from the United States, 22,000 South Vietnamese soldiers entered.

Even under these conditions, the warring parties managed to reach an agreement on the end of the bombing and armed clashes, the formation of a provisional coalition government, and the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country. Neutralists, led by Suvannafuma, began to look for points of contact with the Patriotic Front. As a result of lengthy negotiations between the delegations of the Vientiane royal administration and the patriotic forces, on February 21, 1873, an Agreement was signed to restore peace and achieve national accord in Laos. The agreement proceeded from the recognition of two zones controlled, respectively, by the Vientiane regime and patriotic forces. In April 1974, the National Political Coalition Council was created from the two zones, which included equal representation of the two sides. The coalition sonnet led by Souphanouvong soon became a more influential body than the Vientiane government. The existence of two governments was short-lived. In May 1975, an uprising began in the zone controlled by the Vientiane regime. Members mass protests demanded the abolition of the old regime and the abolition of the monarchy. The long and stubborn resistance of the king did not bring results. The Buddhist monks of Luang Prabang, whom the monarch trusted, persuaded him to leave the throne in this situation. King of Laos Shri Savang Vatthana announced his decision to abdicate the throne. The Communists and the leftist Prince Souphanouvong celebrated their victory. This revolution, which brought radical left forces to power, took place in Laos peacefully, without bloody events. The first result of the revolution was the convocation on the initiative of the PFL of the Congress of People's Representatives on December 1, 1975, and on December 2 the creation of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos was announced. The Congress determined the country's main political guidelines for the long term.

Introduction

1. History

After the Geneva Conference in 1954, Laos was declared a neutral state. In February 1955, the armed forces of the pro-American government of Sasorita launched an offensive against the bases of the communist Pathet Lao movement.

The civil war continued with varying success until the early 1960s. The key moment in it was the establishment by the coalition government of Souvanna Phouma on October 7, 1960, of diplomatic relations with the USSR, as a result of which the Pathet Lao began to receive military, economic and other assistance from the Soviet Union, the DRV and other socialist countries. In December 1960, an aviation group of Soviet Il-14 aircraft (later Li-2) and Mi-4 helicopters was sent to Vietnam, which, by agreement between the USSR and Pathet Lao, assisted in the transportation of cargo by air.

On January 1, 1961, Pathet-Lao troops occupied the strategically important area of the Valley of Jars - Xiangkhuang. Together with the North Vietnamese in the spring of that year, they launched a broad offensive and occupied two-thirds of the country's territory, where a third of the population lived.

On July 23, 1962, the Geneva Accords on Laos were signed and a second coalition government was created from representatives of all the main political groups in the country.

Since 1961, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam began to use the territory of southeastern Laos to supply the guerrillas of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, using the hidden "Ho Chi Minh trail".

In 1962, the Geneva Agreement on Laos was signed. However, in 1964 hostilities resumed. The war was actually fought on two fronts: in the central part of the country (especially in the Valley of Jars) there were battles between government troops and Pathet Lao, while the southeastern regions, where the "Ho Chi Minh trail" passed, were attacked by American aircraft.

The number of the royal army of Laos was increased to 74.2 thousand, its actions were directed directly by American officers. American military aid came to Laos from Thailand through the channels of the US International Development Agency. Its Lao branch, as well as other US organizations in Laos, employed military advisers and technicians under the guise of civilians to train and support government forces.

The Soviet Union, through the territory of North Vietnam, supplied artillery, ammunition, fuel and food for the Pathet Lao forces. From 1960 to 1970, 113 Soviet military personnel worked under Pathet Lao as advisers and instructors.

Not wanting publicity for their US intervention in this civil war (which was a violation of Lao neutrality), the CIA trained detachments of about 30,000 Laotians, mostly Miao (Hmong), led by General Wang Pao, of Miao origin. This secret army was actively supported by US aircraft. In turn, the regular North Vietnamese army actively participated in the battles on the side of the Pathet Lao, which was hidden by the North Vietnamese government.

During the war, the United States undertook a massive bombardment of the territory of Laos, while many civilian settlements and villagers suffered, and great damage was inflicted on the economy and nature of Laos. Even thirty years after the end of the war, Laos does not have enough funds to completely clear the territory of the territory and neutralize American shells, and there are still closed zones in Laos.

Spraying defoliant from an airplane caused great harm ecological state countries. Among other things, the waters were poisoned and many animals and almost all the elephants in the Lao jungle died.

Operations in Laos were classified and hidden from the US people by the government. It was one of the largest covert operations ever, costing US taxpayers an astronomical amount of money. About 3 million tons of bombs were dropped on the territory of Laos, an average of 10 tons per square kilometer and half a ton per inhabitant of Laos, 200 thousand gallons of herbicides were scattered along the "Ho Chi Minh trail" that poisoned the water system, toxic substances were scattered orange agent.

2. Chronology of the war

1964 : In the spring, the Pathet Lao forces resumed hostilities, launching an offensive in the Valley of the Jars. From May american aviation began reconnaissance flights over Laos, from December - the bombing of the "Ho Chi Minh trail" in the southern part of the country.

1965-1967 : fighting without significant changes in the front line. Pathet Lao conducts operations in the dry season (from autumn to spring), government forces in the summer.

1968 : In January, the North Vietnamese army conducts its first major independent offensive. From that moment on, the intensity of the war in Laos increases significantly. Since November, after the cessation of the bombing of North Vietnam, American aircraft have been intensifying raids on the Ho Chi Minh trail.

1969 : in the summer, Wang Pao troops spend one of their most successful operations About face, establishing full control over the valley of the Jars. air war against the "trail of Ho Chi Minh" reached its peak.

1970 : The North Vietnamese army recaptured a significant part of the Jars Valley from government forces. For the first time, B-52 strategic bombers were used to support Wang Pao's troops. US President Richard Nixon acknowledged for the first time that America was actively involved in the civil war in Laos.

1971 : in February-March, the South Vietnamese army invaded the southern regions of Laos in an attempt to cut the "Ho Chi Minh trail" (Operation Lam Son 719). Having suffered heavy losses and not completing the assigned tasks, she left the country. At the end of the year, the North Vietnamese army temporarily occupied the entire valley of the Jars, inflicting a heavy defeat on government forces.

1973 : Vientiane Agreement concluded (February 21), ending civil war in Laos. The agreement provided for the creation of a coalition government.

1975 : Pathet Lao comes to power in Laos peacefully by organizing a series of mass demonstrations. On December 2, the Lao People's Democratic Republic was proclaimed.

Bibliography:

W. Boyne. The Plain of Jars

Andre Vltchek "Secret War" Still Killing Thousands

Plan
Introduction
1. History
2 Timeline of the war
Bibliography
Civil War in Laos Introduction The Lao Civil War (1960-1973; also known as the "Secret War" in the United States) was fought between the government of the country, supported by the United States and South Vietnam, and the Pathet Lao partisans, who received help from North Vietnam and the USSR. 1. History After the Geneva Conference in 1954, Laos was declared a neutral state. In February 1955, the armed forces of the pro-American government of Sasorita launched an offensive against the bases of the communist Pathet Lao movement. The civil war continued with varying success until the early 60s. The key moment in it was the establishment by the coalition government of Souvanna Phouma on October 7, 1960, of diplomatic relations with the USSR, as a result of which the Pathet Lao began to receive military, economic and other assistance from the Soviet Union, the DRV and other socialist countries. In December 1960, an aviation group of Soviet Il-14 aircraft (later - Li-2) and Mi-4 helicopters was sent to Vietnam, which, by agreement between the USSR and Pathet Lao, provided assistance in transporting cargo by air. January 1, 1961 Pathet-Lao troops occupied the strategically important area of the Valley of Jars - Xiangkhuang. Together with the North Vietnamese in the spring of that year, they undertook broad offensive actions and occupied two-thirds of the country's territory, where a third of the population lived. On July 23, 1962, the Geneva Accords on Laos were signed and a second coalition government was created from representatives of all major political groups in the country. Since 1961, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam began to use the territory of southeastern Laos to supply the guerrillas of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, using the hidden "Ho Chi Minh trail." In 1962, the Geneva Agreement on Laos was signed. However, in 1964 hostilities resumed. The war was actually fought on two fronts: in the central part of the country (especially in the Valley of Jars) there were battles between government troops and Pathet Lao, while the southeastern regions, where the "Ho Chi Minh trail" passed, were attacked by American aircraft. The number of the royal army of Laos was increased to 74.2 thousand, its actions were directed directly by American officers. American military aid came to Laos from Thailand through the channels of the US International Development Agency. In its Lao branch, as well as in other US organizations in Laos, under the guise of civilians, military advisers and technical specialists worked, who were engaged in the training and logistics of government troops. The Soviet Union, through the territory of North Vietnam, supplied artillery, ammunition, fuel and food for forces of Pathet Lao. From 1960 to 1970, under Pathet Lao, 113 Soviet military personnel worked as advisers and instructors. Not wanting publicity for their US intervention in this civil war (which was a violation of the neutrality of Laos), the CIA trained detachments of about 30 thousand Laotians, mostly Miao ( Hmong), led by General Wang Pao, of Miao origin. This secret army was actively supported by US aircraft. In turn, the regular North Vietnamese army actively participated in the battles on the side of the Pathet Lao, which was hidden by the government of North Vietnam. During the war, the United States undertook a massive bombardment of the territory of Laos, while many civilian settlements and villagers suffered, and great damage was done to the economy and nature of Laos . Even thirty years after the end of the war, Laos does not have enough funds to completely clear the territory and neutralize American shells, and there are still closed zones in Laos. Spraying a defoliant from an aircraft caused great harm to the ecological state of the country. Among other things, the waters were poisoned and many animals died and almost all the elephants in the Lao jungle. Operations in Laos were classified and hidden from the people of the United States by the government. It was one of the largest covert operations ever, costing US taxpayers an astronomical amount of money. About 3 million tons of bombs were dropped on the territory of Laos, an average of 10 tons per square kilometer and half a ton per inhabitant of Laos, 200 thousand gallons of herbicides were scattered along the "Ho Chi Minh trail" that poisoned the water system, toxic substances were scattered orange agent. 2. Chronology of the war

1964

1965-1967

1968

1969

About face

1970

1971

1973

1975

Bibliography:

W. Boyne. The Plain of Jars Andre Vltchek "Secret War" Still Killing Thousands

Portal for the student. Self-training

Notes:

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