The planned offensive was pre-empted by prior moves by the opposing People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN); they struck on 6 March 1972.

Although the Communist attack reached Laongam, 21 kilometers from Pakxe and the Thai border, and the defending Royalist battalions there were reassigned to fight in Operation Strength on the Plain of Jars, monarchist guerrillas were able to interdict Communist supply lines and force a Vietnamese retreat by the end of March 1972.

In the wake of this failure, CIA backed Laotian guerrillas and Royal Lao Government military irregulars made further attempts at severing the logistical lines of communication.

An attempt was made to airlift in the first 53 troops to begin the operation, but it was turned back by foul flying weather and enemy opposition.

The Thai fire base, fearing Communist infiltration behind the Royalist front lines, retired to the junction of Routes 13 and 23 on the Mekong River bank.

The infantry battalions aimed to cross the river to a position 13 kilometers distant overlooking the Thai artillery from the north.

With their supplies cut off by GM 41's interdiction of the Route 231 line of communication, the PAVN battalions were forced onto the defensive.

[7] On 15 March 1972, the 1,100 guerrillas of GM 43 were airlifted on to the Plateau's northern edge, being landed 14 kilometers south of Lao Ngam.