US Bombing Campaign in Laos

The US bombing campaign in Laos occurred between 1964 and 1973, during the Vietnam War, with the primary objective of disrupting the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) forces. The campaign aimed to prevent the collapse of the Laotian government and to deny the use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a critical supply route for North Vietnamese forces. Over this period, the United States dropped approximately two million tons of bombs on Laos, a staggering amount that is comparable to the total bomb tonnage dropped on Europe and Asia during World War II. This extensive bombing made Laos the most heavily bombed country in history, with significant implications for its landscape and population. The campaign did not achieve its intended objectives, as the North Vietnamese forces continued to operate effectively despite the bombing efforts. The aftermath of the bombing left a lasting impact on Laos, contributing to widespread destruction and civilian casualties, as well as long-term issues related to unexploded ordnance (UXO) that continue to affect the country today.