Cambodia and Laos; Vietnam: A Television History; An Ordinary Day over Laos

Hatcher, Tom · March 13, 1971

American chopper pilots face enemy gunfire nearly every day over Laos. American pilots are both audience for and participants in the war over Laos. All around are the sights and sounds of war. For miles, the pilots can see men trying to kill each other. In the distance, a cloud of smoke rises from where a bomb has been dropped. Below the pilots is a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. On an ordinary day, an American pilot will probably be shot at. Interview with pilot (Tom Hatcher) of chopper carrying newsmen. He says the firing was done by small AK-47s and there is no indication whether he was hit. The chopper was not hit, but another carrying newsmen as well was hit but not seriously. On an ordinary day, about 200 Vietnamese from both sides die, three or four Americans die in choppers or ground action, at least two are shot down. Air view of Laotian jungle. Close up of pilot in cockpit. Air view of South Vietnamese tanks heading into Laos. Close up of chopper gunner, pan down to close up of M60 machine gun. Air view of Ho Chi Minh trail. More air view of jungle including white, billowing smoke from bomb drop. Air view of unnamed river separating Laos and South Vietnam. Close up of whirling blades of chopper. Close up of row of bullets leading into an M60. Interview with co-pilot Don Shaw. He says after he is fired upon he drops a smoke bomb on the area to lead big guns to it and then gets out of the area. Soldiers and newsmen examining damage of press chopper that was hit. Close up of bullet hole in chopper side. This item consists of raw, unpackaged, news materials relating to the US military involvement in Laos.