Operation Pigfat

Operation Pigfat
Part of Laotian Civil War; Vietnam War
Date 26 November 1968 – 7 January 1969 Location Plain of Jars in northeastern Laos Result U.S. Air Force and Royalist guerrilla offensive against Vietnamese communists
Belligerents
Kingdom of Laos	North Vietnam Pathet Lao
Commanders and leaders
Vang Pao
Units involved
U.S. Air Force Royal Lao Air Force 8 guerrilla battalions	18 PAVN battalions 2 Pathet Lao battalions 148th PAVN Regiment
Strength
Battalion-size	Regimental- and battalion-size
Casualties and losses
300 killed 500 wounded 400 missing	Heavy

Operation Pigfat was a crucial guerrilla offensive of the Laotian Civil War; it lasted from 26 November 1968 to 7 January 1969. Launched by Hmong tribal soldiers backed by the Central Intelligence Agency, it was based on the usage of overwhelming air power to clear the path for the guerrillas. The guerrillas were faced with the largest concentration of Vietnamese communist troops stationed outside Vietnam, and hoped to spoil that imminent attack.

In the event, the promised air power allotment was halved and curtailed. Intermittent foul weather also restricted air operations. Nevertheless, the Hmong assault against communists on the mountain of Phou Pha Thi nearly carried the position in mid-December. However, a communist night raid that destroyed an ammunition dump, followed by the arrival of a relief column from the 316th Division, tipped the balance of battle against the assailants. On 7 January 1969, the Hmong retreated while pressed hard by the communists.

Both sides took heavy casualties. However, the Vietnamese had abundant manpower to be trained as replacements. By contrast, the Hmong replacement pool was scanty. Moreover, the communists ended their follow-up drive within ten kilometers of the Hmong main bases at Long Chieng and Sam Thong.