Parker Jr., James E. Battle for Skyline Ridge. The CIA Secret War in Laos

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Laotian Civil War became a covert theater for the conflict in Vietnam, with the U.S. paramilitary backing the Royal Lao government in what came to be known among the CIA as the "Secret War". In late 1971, the North Vietnamese Army launched "Campaign Z", invading northern Laos on a mission to defeat the Royal Lao Army. General Giap had specifically ordered the NVA troops to kill the CIA army and occupy its field headquarters in the Long Tieng valley. The NVA faced the small rag-tag army of Vang Pao, mostly Thai irregulars recruited to fight for the CIA. But thousands more were quickly recruited, trained, and rushed into position in Laos to defend against the impending NVA invasion. Despite overwhelming odds in the NVAs favor, the battle raged for more than one hundred daysthe longest battle in the Vietnam War. In the end, it all came down to Skyline Ridge. Whoever won Skyline, won Laos. Historian James E. Parker Jr. served as a CIA paramilitary officer in Laos. In this authoritative and personal account, Parker draws from his own firsthand experience as well as extensive research into CIA files and North Vietnamese after-action reports in order to tell the full story of the battle of Skyline Ridge.

General Giap had specifically ordered the North Vietnamese troops to destroy the CIA army and occupy its headquarters in the Long Tieng Valley. The North Vietnamese army was confronted by the small army of Vang Pao, composed mainly of Thai irregular troops fighting on behalf of the CIA. But thousands more soldiers were quickly recruited, trained and deployed in Laos to defend against the impending North Vietnamese invasion. Despite overwhelming odds in favour of the North Vietnamese, the battle raged for more than 100 days - the longest battle in the Vietnam War. In the end, it all came down to Skyline Ridge. Whoever won this ridge won Laos. The historian James E. Parker Jr. served as a CIA paramilitary officer in Laos. In this authentic and personal account, the author draws on his own experience as well as extensive research in CIA files and subsequent operational reports from the North Vietnamese Army to tell the full story of the Battle of Skyline Ridge.