>
> I'd imagine the US had a lot more fire-power on hand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1100842.stm "American B52s and other aircraft dropped more bombs than fell on all of Europe during World War II, " in Laos.
Just in Laos...Bombing Laos
From Ralph McGehee <rmcgehee at igc.apc.org> 9 October, 1995
The below information is provided based on a request for information in soc.history.war.vietnam.
Once the bombing began, the civilian population became the target for more than two million tons of bombs. Anthony Lewis wrote that this "was the most appalling episode of lawless cruelty in American history."
The below information, much from Douglas Blaufarb, a "top" CIA official in Laos, lends credence to Lewis's quote.
Laos 64-70 Barrel role resulted in obliteration of such towns as xieng Khouangville, phongsavan, khang khay, and ban ban--all on plain of jars--as Well as, among others, mahaxay and tchepone. Such destruction resulted from Relaxed ground rules, permitting heavy attacks on military targets in or Near towns, and huge increase of available sorties. Blaufarb, d.s. (1972). Organizing and managing unconventional war in laos, 1962-1970 51
Laos, 62-70 Destruction towns and villages by bombing. Tribal refugees as Of april 70 246,000. Over years possibly 700,000 of 1,900,000 under rlg Left homes. Casualties toll meo between 9 to 22% meo population laos. Blaufarb, d.s. (1972). Organizing and managing unconventional war in laos, 1962-1970 86
Laos, 62-70 Usaf bombing north laos to 42,000 sorties a year by 70. First time sophisticated high-performance aircraft supported a resistance Movement primitive tribesmen. Resistance depended on air transport provided By private american contractors with large cargo planes, stol aircraft, and H-34 helicopters. Blaufarb, d.s. (1972). Organizing and managing Unconventional war in laos, 1962-1970 ix
Laos, 62-73 Cia pilots flew supply and bombing missions in cia-owned Planes in support of the secret army. The budget to support the army was at Least $300 million a year. 40-50 cia officers ran program, aided by several Hundred contract personnel. Congressional research service. (2/18/75). Covert acts of the cia 50-74 2/18/75 8
Laos, 64-70 Usaf campaign laos in two parts. Bombing ho chi minh trail With two segments steel tiger and tiger hound with control from saigon. Usaf combat activity in north called barrel roll and provided support to the resistance beginning 64. Attack sorties in barrel role totaled 15,144 and soared to 42,279 in fy 70. Hit road traffic, depots, and other military Installations and flew combat support for irregulars. Blaufarb, d.s. (1972). Organizing and managing unconventional war in laos, 1962-1970 49
Laos, 68 When president johnson ordered halt to bombing in north vietnam it meant shackley's vientiane station could have 300 tactical air strikes a Day around site 36. Corn, d. (1994). Blond ghost: ted shackley and the Cia's crusades 161-2
Laos. In early days secret war t-28 fighter-bombers bearing royal lao Insignia flown by aa pilots on regular bombing missions on pathet lao and Nvese positions along ho chi minh trail. Robbins, c. (1979). Air america 130
Laos. See chart in ciaf for a year by year breakdown of bombing tonnage. Borosage, r.l., & marks, j. (Eds.). (1976). The cia file 77
Laos. U.s. Air force bombing tonnage listed. By time peace agreement Reached 733, weight bombs dropped on laos exceeded tonnage of all munitions Used by u.s. In world war ii. Prados, j. (1986). Presidents' secret wars 279
Laos, 61-75 Americans in civilian clothes flew spotter planes directing U.s. Air force strikes against the ho chi minh trail; american "civilian" Contractor operated a huge and secret air force radar complex in n.laos. The secret air force bombing of laos began in 65. The air force dropped 1.6 Million tons bombs on laos, more than it dropped on germany in wwii. Volkman, e., & baggett, b. (1989). Secret intelligence 145
Laos, 62-70 Destruction towns and villages by bombing. Tribal refugees as Of april 70 246,000. Over years possibly 700,000 of 1,900,000 under rlg Left homes. Casualties toll meo between 9 to 22% meo population laos. Blaufarb, d.s. (1972). Organizing and managing unconventional war in laos, 1962-1970 86
Laos, circa 69 Vang pao's war to be given one and a half times number Air sorties allocated to all of vietnam. 2 day campaign against xieng Khouang resulted 1500 buildings flattened, four towns wiped from map. Robbins, c. (1987). The ravens 154, 56 -- Michael Pugliese