Battle of Vientiane

Part of 1960 Laotian coups, Laotian Civil War; Vietnam War

Location

Central Laos, concentrated on Vientiane; sporadic fighting into the Plain of Jars

Result

Decisive victory for Phoumi Nosavan

Phoumi Nosavan gains control of the Kingdom of Laos
The Forces Armées Neutralistes of Kong Le retreat to the Plain of Jars

Territorial
changes

Loyalist forces capture Vientiane; Forces Armées Neutralistes establish themselves in the Plain of Jars

Belligerents

Royal Lao loyalists
Supported by
Thailand

PARU
RTA

United States

South Vietnam

Forces Armées Neutralistes
North Vietnam
Pathet Lao
Supported by
USSR

Commanders and leaders

Phoumi Nosavan

Kouprasith Abhay

Siho Lamphouthacoul

Ekarath Souvannarot

Bounleut Sanichanh

Units involved

Groupement Mobile B

Groupement Tactique

Groupement Mobile Special 1

Bataillon Volontaires 32

Bataillon Parachutistes 1

Bataillon Volontaires 21

Hmong guerrillas

PARU Team A

PARU Team B

PARU Team C

PARU Team D

PARU Team E

105mm howitzers

C-47 air support

CIA air transport support

Bataillon Parachutistes 2

Pathet Lao armed forces

122mm mortars

105mm howitzers

Five battalions

Soviet air transport support

Strength

N/A

Four 105mm howitzers, twenty-five Border Patrol Police

One C-47

1,200

1,060