Operation Diamond Arrow

Operation Diamond Arrow
Part of Laotian Civil War; Vietnam War
Date 20 September 1969 – 9 March 1970 Location Southern Laos, near the Ho Chi Minh Trail Result Royalists withstand communist siege to hold Thatheng
Belligerents
Kingdom of Laos	North Vietnam
Units involved
Bataillon Volontaires 46 Bataillon Infanterie 7 U.S. Air Force Royal Lao Air Force Raven Forward Air Controllers Nail Forward Air Controllers	Three infantry battalions from Group 968
Strength
Battalion-size	Battalion-size
Casualties and losses
40 killed 100 wounded 30 missing	Estimated 500

Operation Diamond Arrow was a battle in southern Laos, waged from 20 September 1969 through 9 March 1970. The struggle centered on a Royal Lao Army stronghold at the strategic road intersection of Routes 16 and 23. Due to intervention by U.S. and Lao tactical air strikes, and an air bridge supply effort, the Royal Lao Army troops survived besiegement in a fixed defensive position, only to abandon their position post-battle.