Office of the Historian

141. Memorandum From the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (Carroll) to Secretary of Defense McNamara1

S–3549/AP2F1
Washington, October 19, 1964.

SUBJECT

  • (S/LD) Corridor Interdiction in the Laos Panhandle
1.
The corridor interdiction program of airstrikes by the Royal Laotian Air Force (RLAF) began on 14 October 1964. From a list of 22 targets recommended by US Air Attaché (AIRA) the RLAF chose 13 that were believed to be best suited to airstrikes by T–28s. Of these targets, 12 were scheduled for strikes the first 8 days. The RLAF requested that US jet cover be provided for four targets on the list of thirteen. Authority was granted for use of US air cover “as necessary” but there has been no indication of its use to date. AIRA estimates that the initial strikes will end on the 23rd and harassment raids may continue for 30 days. Regarding the rest of the 22 targets, RLAF requested US Air hit 4 “high risk” targets, 3 bridges were placed in an “on call” status, and 2 targets were dropped.
2.
Original planning by RLAF called for an average of 18 sorties against up to two targets per day. As many as 19 sorties have been flown against a single target as was the case with the strike of the military strong-point near Lak Sao on 15 October.
3.
The missions have so far been conducted out of Savannakhet using 13 aircraft (T–28). To date strikes are known to have been conducted against 5 of the 12 scheduled targets. Yesterday, Gen Ma, Air Force Chief, moved six T–28s to Pakse to strike the two southernmost targets today.
4.
Lao pilot reports of strike results are sketchy and somewhat overly optimistic. Although no bomb damage assessments have been completed, they are programmed. An initial photo interpretation report of one of the targets hit on the 14th indicated bomb craters 150–200 feet from the main installation but no significant damage. Reconnaissance flights are being hampered in some cases by weather. No photography of these strikes is yet available in Washington.
5.
Results: See Attached Enclosure 1.2
Joseph F. Carroll 3

Lieutenant General, USAF
  1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin Files: FRC 69 A 7425, Laos 381 (9 Apr 64) Laos Operations. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. A copy was sent to Wheeler. A note on the source text indicates that Deputy Secretary of Defense Vance saw it.↩
  2. Attached, but not printed, were a list of the sorties and results and a map of the targets.↩
  3. Printed from a copy that indicates Carroll signed the original.↩