These extraordinary silent Super 8mm home movies from the Vietnam War, come from a member of the “Ravens”. The Raven Forward Air Controllers, also known simply as The Ravens, were fighter pilots used for forward air control in a covert operation in conjunction with the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States in Laos during America’s Vietnam War. The Ravens provided direction for most of the air strikes against communist Pathet Lao targets and People’s Army of Vietnam’s infiltrators in support of the Laotian Hmong guerrilla army.
(00:00:00) Interdiction bombing of Ho Chi Minh Trail. The U.S. was getting rid of thousands of bombs left over from WWII, and would drop whatever they could to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Southern Laos. (00:03:29) Driving along road going into Pakse. (00:04:10) Guard post at bridge crossing the Xe Don River going into Pakse. (00:05:19) Pakse road going to the AIRA compound where the Raven’s lived. It is an old French home. During the rainy season the road had deep pot holes and was very difficult to drive.
(00:06:52) (Unknown) (00:07:07) Silversmith. (00:08:17) Laotian family who lived outside the AIRA Compound (Raven’s home). [The homes that were built on stilts, as shown in this film, were considered to be in Laos. Homes that were built on the ground were in Viet-Nam. A very “scientific” division of the countries.] (00:09:04) Pet monkey. Monkey fed by one of the Ravens’. (00:10:12) Eastern edge of Bolavens Plateau. Village along eastern edge. (00:11:33) Blurred from cloud cover. (00:13:33) Buddhist Temple (00:14:10) Lao village, home, and family. (00:15:52) Washing clothes in river. (00:16:29) Gardens along the Xe Don River. Terrace farming. (00:16:54) One of many “Lima Sites” runway where CIA Porter Aircraft could land.
(00:17:00) Village in trees and rice paddies near village. Structures in rice paddies were where farmers could rest during the day.
(00:18:27) Recon along river. Most likely spotted bunkers along river. (00:18:55) Buddhist Temple, close-up of temple shown at (00:13:33). (00:19:17) Military compound. Unknown location. (00:19:50) Airfield. Unknown location. (00:20:16) Bombing target at Eastern foot of Bolavens Plateau. (00:21:11) Bomb blast. (00:21:28) Bomb blast. (00:21:47) Bomb blast. (00:21:49) Shows HE Rocket on Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, belonging to the FAC. When loaded, the rockets had to be expended before returning to land. (00:23:30) Bomb assessment of target, showing craters from bombs. (00:23:04) Good view of HE Rocket on O-1. (00:23:37) Villager making raft in river from bamboo stalks. (00:23:59) Gardens along river where villager is making raft. (00:24:20) Villagers taking bath in river. (00:24:36) Village along river. (00:25:11) Military compound in Saravane, Laos preparing for celebration.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
