Operation Black Lion

Operation Black Lion
Part of Laotian Civil War; Vietnam War
Date15 June – 19 October 1972
Location
Southern Laos
Result Royalist capture Salavan, fail to take Paksan
Belligerents
 Kingdom of Laos
Supported by
 United States
 North Vietnam
Supported by:
 Soviet Union
 People's Republic of China
Units involved
Groupement Mobile 32
Groupement Mobile 33
Groupement Mobile 401
Three Thai mercenary battalions
Royal Lao Air Force
Bataillon Infanterie 18
9th PAVN Regiment
39th PAVN Regiment
Strength
Regimental-size Regimental-size
Casualties and losses
Unknown Est. 360

Operation Black Lion (15 June – 19 October 1972) was a Royal Lao Government counter-offensive against a People's Army of Vietnam thrust that cut the Kingdom of Laos in two at Khong Sedone during May 1972. Two regiments of Royalist military irregulars retaliated on 15 June 1972, attacking the Communist 39th Regiment in an air assault while Royal Lao Air Force tactical air strikes hammered the 39th. During the next month, the 39th Regiment would suffer an estimated 360 casualties and be rendered ineffective for attacks. On 18 July, they retreated, leaving a rear guard to be overrun.

Throughout the following months, the Royalists pushed eastward along Route 23 towards Vietnam to capture Laongam. Then, on the nights of 14/15 and 18/19 October 1972, Communist PT-76 tanks struck four Royalist Thai mercenary battalions holding Laongam. All the Thais except the regimental staff abandoned the town on 19 October; however, an AC-130 Spectre gunship repelled the Communist attack. Two Thai battalions returned to form a weak defense.