Synopsis
“…this book examines the war in neighboring Laos, especially in the 1950s. It’s a fantastic recap of the coups and counter-coups and the military effort behind each.” – Historical Miniatures Gaming Society
The United States of America lost South Vietnam (the ‘In-Country War’) because it was defeated in Laos and Cambodia (the ‘Out-Country War’). This is the first of a series which will, for the first time, reconstruct in detail the full story of the ‘Out-Country War’ and the influence of decisions in Washington, Hanoi and Bangkok.
The Secret War Begins shows how Hanoi’s determination to make Laos a Communist state wrecked the 1954 Geneva Agreement. It shows, in detail, how its Pathet Lao puppet regime helped to polarise the nation and Hanoi then ignored a second Geneva Agreement in 1962. The strategic reasons for this included the need to develop the Ho chi Minh Trail to support the struggle in South Vietnam. In response the Americans and their allies, who followed the second agreement in name if not spirit, began a cover proxy war with CIA-backed guerrillas and by using air power. But by now Laotian anti-Communist leaders were almost out of control leaving Laos by the end of 1963 a powder keg ready to explore.
Reaching back – often for the first time ever – upon numerous local sources to augment those published in the West, The Secret War Begins tells the full story. It looks not only at the military aspects of this confrontation with far-reaching consequences – like battles on the ground – but, also the growing deployment of air power as well as the political decisions and developments that influenced them, including surprising French influence. The book is richly illustrated with authentic and rare photography, many of which was never published before, detailed maps, and custom-drawn colour profiles.
About the Author
Military historian and aviation-journalist Albert Grandolini was born in Vietnam and gained an MA in history from Paris 1 Sorbonne University. His primary research focus is on contemporary conflicts in general and particularly on the military history in Asia and Africa. Having spent his childhood in South Vietnam, the Vietnam War has always been one of his main fields of research. He authored the book Fall of the Flying Dragon: South Vietnamese Air Force (1973-1975) two volumes on Vietnam’s Easter Offensive of 1972 for Helion’s Asia@War Series, and three volumes on Libyan Air Wars for Africa@War Series, and has written numerous articles for various British, French, and German magazines.
E. R. Hooton is a successful retired defense journalist, including acting as a Jane’s yearbook editor. He is the author of more than a dozen military history books ranging from the Balkans Wars 1912-1913, air operations over the Western Front 1916-1918, the breaking of the Hindenburg Line 1918, the Red Army 1937-1941, air operations 1939-1945 and the Communist Chinese victory of 1945-1951.
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