Campaign 972

Campaign 972
Part of Laotian Civil War, Vietnam War
Date 28 October 1972–22 February 1973 Location Southern Laos Result Decisive North Vietnamese victory. Kingdom of Laos essentially broken in two. Ceasefire takes effect on 22 February 1973, officially ending the Laotian Civil War. Paksong captured shortly after the ceasefire. Territorial changes North Vietnam captures Khong Sedone, Salavan, Thakhek, and Lao Ngam
Belligerents
North Vietnam Pathet Lao	Kingdom of Laos Supported by:  United States
Units involved
Two provincial battalions 4th Battalion of the 270th Regiment PT-76 tanks Three companies	21st Brigade Infantry Battalion 233 2 SPECOM teams Mobile Group 34 Bataillon Guerrier 308 Bataillon Guerrier 311 Mobile Group 31 1 AC-130 B-52 Stratofortresses

Campaign 972 (28 October 1972 – 22 February 1973) was the final offensive in the south of the Kingdom of Laos by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). After fending off a score of Royal Lao Government attacks against the Ho Chi Minh Trail between June 1969 and late 1972, the PAVN attacked and essentially cut Laos in two at Khong Sedone by November 1972. Sporadic ongoing fighting, especially for control of Paksong, continued until 8 February 1973. Although a ceasefire officially ended the Laotian Civil War at noon on 23 February with Salavan, Thakhek, and Lao Ngam in Communist hands, the PAVN launched another successful assault on Paksong 15 minutes later.