What was the Impact of US bombing on Vietnam?

Operation Rolling Thunder

• Operation Rolling Thunder was the title of a gradual and sustained US 2nd Air Division (later Seventh Air Force), US Navy, and Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) aerial bombardment campaign conducted against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) from 2 March 1965 until 2 November 1968, during the Vietnam War.

• Watch this video about the campaign.

Carpet bombing caused untold levels of death and destruction

Cluster bombs contained thousands of smaller pellets that maimed…

Their victims

Napalm bombs caused severe, often fatal burns

Agent Orange was used to destroy vegetation, but had serious side effects on those exposed

Historical and spiritual sites like My Son Kingdom and Hai Phong were often destroyed

But Vietnam’s people held firm

As opposition grew in the US

The Ho Chi Minh trail remained intact

And the NVA launched the massive Tet Offensive in 1968

Operation Linebacker II

• The biggest ever bombing campaign by US B-52 aircraft took place over Christmas 40 years ago, when the US dropped at least 20,000 tonnes of explosives on North Vietnam, mostly Hanoi. More than 1,000 Vietnamese died, but some claim the assault may have helped bring about the deal signed a month later that led to an end to US involvement in the war.

• Operation Linebacker II was President Richard Nixon's attempt to hasten the end of the Vietnam War, as the growing strength of the Viet Cong caused heavy casualties among US ground troops.

• The capture and torture of downed airmen in the north, regularly paraded on television, was also an embarrassment for Washington. Nixon was under pressure to bring the troops home.

Watch these videos:• Vietnam commemoration

Other Events and Issues

• Battle of Khe Sanh • Daisy Cutters