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Gradual Failure: The Air War Over North Vietnam, 1965-1966

Richard P. Hallion

0/5 ( ratings)

In March 1965, the United States began Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained series of air strikes in communist North Vietnam. Although more persistent than the scattered strikes that had preceded it, Rolling Thunder was much too gradual an application of air power to be effective against so determined an opponent. The initial intent of Rolling Thunder was to signal U.S. determination so that North Vietnam might cease its support of the communist insurgency in South Vietnam. In time, however, Rolling Thunder became a long campaign to interdict soldiers and supplies moving from North Vietnam into South Vietnam.

President Lyndon Johnson and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara closely controlled Rolling Thunder, specified targets, limited the timing of strikes, and dictated tactics. Most of the bombs were dropped by fighter aircraft rather than by B-52s, whose much larger payloads and ability to operate in bad weather might have been more effective.

While Rolling Thunder gradually moved north toward the major cities of Hanoi and Haiphong, the Johnson administration ordered bombing halts periodically as inducements for the North Vietnamese to negotiate. By the fall of 1966, after eighteen months of bombing, none of Rolling Thunder's goals had been achieved. The North Vietnamese seemed unwilling to discuss a peaceful resolution of the conflict; they had greatly improved their air defenses; and their men and supplies still flowed into South Vietnam. Rolling Thunder would continue for another two years, but it was already a failure.

Language: English

Pages: 406

Format: Paperback

Release: December 18, 2002

ISBN 13: 9781780394053

Gradual Failure: The Air War Over North Vietnam, 1965-1966

Richard P. Hallion

0/5 ( ratings)

In March 1965, the United States began Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained series of air strikes in communist North Vietnam. Although more persistent than the scattered strikes that had preceded it, Rolling Thunder was much too gradual an application of air power to be effective against so determined an opponent. The initial intent of Rolling Thunder was to signal U.S. determination so that North Vietnam might cease its support of the communist insurgency in South Vietnam. In time, however, Rolling Thunder became a long campaign to interdict soldiers and supplies moving from North Vietnam into South Vietnam.

President Lyndon Johnson and Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara closely controlled Rolling Thunder, specified targets, limited the timing of strikes, and dictated tactics. Most of the bombs were dropped by fighter aircraft rather than by B-52s, whose much larger payloads and ability to operate in bad weather might have been more effective.

While Rolling Thunder gradually moved north toward the major cities of Hanoi and Haiphong, the Johnson administration ordered bombing halts periodically as inducements for the North Vietnamese to negotiate. By the fall of 1966, after eighteen months of bombing, none of Rolling Thunder's goals had been achieved. The North Vietnamese seemed unwilling to discuss a peaceful resolution of the conflict; they had greatly improved their air defenses; and their men and supplies still flowed into South Vietnam. Rolling Thunder would continue for another two years, but it was already a failure.

Language: English

Pages: 406

Format: Paperback

Release: December 18, 2002

ISBN 13: 9781780394053

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