UXO in caves in NE Laos

UXO is unexploded ordance

Whilst caving in the Vieng Xai area of NE Laos, we had to be really careful about UXO, or unexploded ordance, as this was one of the most heavily bombed areas during the Vietnam war.

Vieng Xai is a small town, its claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Repulic). Lao gained independence from France in 1949, this was followed by a civil war, and then the communist Pathet Lao came to power in 1975. Around this time, Vieng Xai got caught up in a secret war and became the site of an unprecedented but little known episode in world history.

In the early 1960’s the Pathet Lao moved their headquarters from Vientiane to Houa Phanh province. As the USA tried to halt what it saw as the expansion of communism after World War 2, Laos became caught up in this secret war. The US set out to destroy the Lao revolutionary movement whilst denying any military involvement in the country.

In an attempt to destroy the Pathot Lao’s new command centre at Vieng Xai, the US embarked on a devastating aerial bombing campaign that would last for nine years (1964-1973). More than two million tonnes of ordnance were dropped on Laos over this period – more bombs than were dropped on Europe during the Second World War. This total is equivalent to one planeload of bombs every 8 minutes for 9 years. However this fact is little known in world history!

detonator box used as motorbike box

Today UXO is still a huge problem. Unexploded ordnance (UXOs) are explosive weapons (bombs, shells, grenades, land mines, naval mines, etc.) that did not explode when they were employed. UXO are still found and the UXO demining teams are working daily to clear the paddy fields, farmlands, gardens etc.

The biggest problem is the bomblets, locally called bombies, which come from cluster bombs, and are small and easily hidden. One cluster bomb could hold 670 bombies, and if it didn't go off on landing, this means 670 bombies are still "alive" in the earth. And each bombie could contain 300 ball bearings.

bombies

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) from UK began work in Laos in 1994, and 1996 Laos created its own national organisation UXO Laos, with MAG advice and support.

This marker shows what has been cleared

During our caving expeditions, as we were working with the local government and tourism authorities we were given special permission and permits to allow us to go to many areas within the Vieng Xai district, but we always took local guides with us, and were careful never to stray off the path.

A missile struck this rock wall in a cave entrance

bullet scar on rock wall of cave entrance and a bomb crater

Missile found in a cave

bombheads found in cave in Vieng Xai district

Hope it doesn't go off!

These old bomb cases now used as decoration

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission

1 comment:

1. 
   Yeshe Liew28 January 2008 23:07

   Aren't you afraid that this bomb may go off ? Is communism such a bad word and must they bomb them !

   ReplyDelete

Laos Vieng Xai caving expedition 2008, part 1

In Jan 2007 we first visited the Vieng Xia area of Houa Phanh province of NE Laos. The Vietnamese border is only about 40 km away and there are extensive cave systems there.

Vieng Xai's claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Lao PDR (People's Democratic Republic). Lao gained independence from France in 1949, this was followed by a civil war, and then the communist Pathet Lao came to power in 1975. Around this time, Vieng Xai got caught up in a secret war and became the site of an unprecedented but little known episode in world history.

See my blog on Vieng Xai. See also part 2 of this blog.

The expedition consisted of 10 members, plus a film crew from Germany filming for Arte TV. We drove from Luang Prabang to Vieng Xai, stopping for a late lunch at Vieng Thong.

restaurant kitchen
We stayed in a hotel at Vieng Xai. This is the view from the hotel

The town is surrounded by limestone hills

Film crew

We were up early each morning and the lake by the hotel was always covered in mist due to the freezing temperatures at night

Each morning we went to the market to buy food for lunch.

buffalo head and blood

Young girls in the market, dressed in their best clothes as they are going to a ball game where they hope to meet a suitable husband.

Walking to a cave

having lunch








This cave was also used as a hospital and the ampoules are already being covered by calcite

Before caving we had to visit the village headman to get his permission

The caves were generally very big, but this particular one had some small crawls

View of the valley

This cave is high up on a hill and was used as an observation place. The entrance

defence wall
We had to be careful where we walked as there were still bomb heads and ammunition lying around

One cave was used as a hospital and there are still lots of ampoules scattered around

Thick walls and fortified door

UXO or unexploded ordnance is still a problem. This marker shows this area has been cleared

Bomb crater

Vieng Xai Hidden City in Laos

Vieng Xai’s claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Lao PDR (People’s Democratic Republic). Laos gained independence in 1949, this was followed by a civil war, and then the communist Pathet Lao came to power in 1975. Around this time, Vieng Xai got caught up in a secret war and became the site of an unprecedented but little known episode in world history.

In the early 1960’s the Pathet Lao moved their headquarters from Vientiane to Houa Phanh province. As the USA tried to halt what it saw as the expansion of communism after World War 2, Laos became caught up in this secret war. The US set out to destroy the Lao revolutionary movement whilst denying any military involvement in the country.

In an attempt to destroy the Pathet Lao’s new command centre at Vieng Xai, the US embarked on a devastating aerial bombing campaign that would last for nine years (1964-1973). More than two million tonnes of ordnance were dropped on Laos over this period – more bombs than were dropped on Europe during the Second World War. This total is equivalent to one planeload of bombs every 8 minutes for 9 years. However this fact is little known in world history!

Kids playing on old bombs made safe

To escape from this onslaught, around 23,000 people took to Vieng Xai’s natural caves and they constructed the ‘Hidden City’ for the leaders.

In internal exile, the Pathet Lao continued to direct the resistance struggle from the city hidden in the limestone hills.

They lived in the caves from 1964-1973. Today this network of caves is open to tourists, and as you go around, you can learn more about the history of Laos.

Several caves were selected as the family homes and offices of the leaders.

kitchen

Natural caves were enlarged, tunnels developed and internal ceilings inserted. Airtight rooms with air filtering equipment were constructed, to use in the event of a gas attack.

Blast walls over 1.5 metres thick were built to shield cave entrances from rockets and guided missiles. Visitors to Vieng Xai today can visit the leaders’ caves, some of which still contain their personal possessions.

theatre

There are about 6 major caves to visit.

We stayed right by this lake.

UXO or unexploded ordance is still a huge problem.