Operation Linebacker II

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Operation Linebacker II was a major United States Air Force bombing campaign conducted against targets in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) during the final period of the Vietnam War. Taking place from December 18 to December 29, 1972, it was the largest heavy bomber strike launched by the U.S. Air Force since the end of World War II. Operation Linebacker II was a continuation of the earlier Operation Linebacker and its mission was to halt or slow the transportation of supplies and materials for the Viet Cong insurgency by bombing North Vietnam's major transportation networks, including its railways and harbors.

Background

The operation was initiated after the collapse of peace talks aimed at ending the Vietnam War. The U.S. sought to bring the North Vietnamese back to the negotiating table and to secure the release of American prisoners of war held in North Vietnam. President Richard Nixon authorized the operation after the North Vietnamese delegation walked out of the peace talks in Paris.

Operation Details

Operation Linebacker II involved a series of concentrated air attacks over North Vietnam, with the focus on Hanoi and Haiphong, the two largest cities in the country. The operation saw the first use of the B-52 Stratofortress bombers in a major bombing offensive over North Vietnam. These bombers were capable of carrying large payloads of bombs and were used to target major infrastructure facilities, such as airfields, power plants, and radio stations, with the aim of crippling North Vietnam's ability to continue the war.

The operation was characterized by the heavy use of electronic warfare to counter North Vietnamese air defenses. The U.S. deployed a variety of tactics and technologies, including chaff to confuse radar and anti-radiation missiles to target North Vietnamese SAM sites.

Impact

Operation Linebacker II resulted in significant damage to North Vietnam's infrastructure and reportedly set back their war effort. However, it also led to substantial civilian casualties and destruction of non-military targets, which drew international condemnation.

The operation is considered to have played a role in bringing North Vietnam back to the peace talks, leading to the signing of the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973. This agreement eventually led to the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam and the return of American prisoners of war.

Controversy

The operation has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Critics argue that the bombing was indiscriminate and caused unnecessary suffering to the civilian population. Supporters of the operation contend that it was a necessary measure to end the war and secure the release of American POWs.

Legacy

Operation Linebacker II is remembered as a significant event in the history of aerial warfare and the Vietnam War. It demonstrated the capabilities and limitations of strategic bombing in modern warfare and has been studied extensively in military academies around the world.