Extension into Cambodia & Laos

Question 1

What was initiated in Cambodia in March 1969?

Answer 1

Operation Menu
-Bombing offensive designed to target parts of Cambodia considered as safe by NV army and Vietcong

Question 2

What was the desired outcomes by US of Operation Menu?

Answer 2

-Sever supply lines based on Ho Chi Minh Trail
-Pressurise NV into agreeing acceptable peace settlement for SV
-Compensate for planned Vietnamisation programme to retain confidence and commitment of SV

Question 3

What undermined Nixon’s Vietnamisation strategy in Cambodia?

Answer 3

Communist Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia

Question 4

What were five consequences of extending the war into Cambodia?

Answer 4

-Ability of Vietcong to operate in Cambodia seriously undermined as large areas of jungle were destroyed
-Large amounts of Vietcong’s supplies and equipment captured or destroyed
-Possibility of NV offensive undermined by losses faced by NV in Cambodia
-NV moved deeper into Cambodia and strengthened support for Khmer Rouge
-Opposition to the war at home in US increased

Question 5

What did Nixon activate in February 1971?

Answer 5

Operation Lam Son 719
-Plan to support an ARVN invasion of Laos with US air support
-To disrupt Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos

Question 6

What did the Laos invasion show?

Answer 6

Even with US air support the chances of defeating North Vietnamese were slim