The Battle of Ban Dong was a major battle of the Vietnam War that took place on Hill 660 during the closing stages of Operation Lam Son 719. The battle lasted from March 18 to March 20, 1971. Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines Democratic Republic of Vietnam National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength ~1,200,000 (1968) ~520,000 (1968) Casualties South Vietnamese dead... March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in Leap years). ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... Official language Vietnamese Capital Saigon Last President Duong Van Minh Last Prime Minister Vu Van Mau Area  - Total  - % water 173,809 km² N/A Population  - Total  - Density 19,370,000 (1973 est. ... The Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN), or less commonly, Vietnamese Democratic Republic (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Dân Chủ Cá»™ng Hòa), also known as North Vietnam, was proclaimed by Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, September 2nd1945 and was recognized by the Peoples Republic of China and the... Pathet Lao (Laotian, Land of Laos) was a communist, nationalist political movement and organization in Laos, formed in the mid 20th century. ... Vo Nguyen Giap General Vo Nguyen Giap (born 1912) is a Vietnamese four-star general, who was the military leader of the Viet Minh guerrilla group under Ho Chi Minhs political leadership, and of the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines Democratic Republic of Vietnam National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength ~1,200,000 (1968) ~520,000 (1968) Casualties South Vietnamese dead... Combatants United States South Vietnam North Vietnam Commanders Lt. ... March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in Leap years). ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ...

When Lam Son 719 commenced on January 30 the South Vietnamese Army launched a three-prong invasion against Laos using Route 9 as the main road of incursion. The operation was spearheaded by the ARVN 1st Armour Task Force Brigade and a Paratroop Brigade, as well as American air and artillery support. The South Vietnamese Army planned to capture Ban Dong on February 9 but due to miscalculations, Ban Dong was captured on February 12. January 30 is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

On March 18, after heavy casualties were inflicted on the South Vietnamese on Hill 723, the joint North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces encircled the ARVN 1st Battalion, 8th Battalion and the 17th Armour Regiment along Route 9, cutting off all roads stretching from Ban Dong to Kaki preventing the ARVN from retreat. Airlift operations were also disrupted as a result of heavy Communist anti-aircraft fire. March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ...

Taking advantage of the ARVN's critical situation, the combined Communist forces launched deep thrust into South Vietnamese defensive formations. After nearly three days of fighting, the South Vietnamese took more casualties as the 1st Paratroop Brigade was virtually wiped out by the North Vietnamese Army.

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• OPERATION PLAN EL PASO