Operation Rolling Thunder: How US Ravaged Vietnam in Longest Bombing Crusade Since WWII
Operation Rolling Thunder: How US Ravaged Vietnam in Longest Bombing Crusade Since WWII
Sputnik International
Operation Rolling Thunder ran from March 2, 1965, to November 2, 1968, during the presidency of Lyndon Johnson, becoming the longest bombing campaign since 1945.
The first air raid on the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) as part of Operation Rolling Thunder took place on March 2, 1965. During the operation, the USAF carried out massive bombings against North Vietnam: they targeted railroads, highways, and civilian industrial objects. The offensive included the destruction of crops, as American forces dropped chemical substances on them.Have a look at Sputnik's gallery, showing the deadly operation and its gruesome outcome:
Operation Rolling Thunder ran from March 2, 1965, to November 2, 1968, during the presidency of Lyndon Johnson, becoming the longest bombing campaign since 1945.
The first air raid on the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) as part of Operation Rolling Thunder took place on March 2, 1965. During the operation, the USAF carried out massive bombings against North Vietnam: they targeted railroads, highways, and civilian industrial objects. The offensive included the destruction of crops, as American forces dropped chemical substances on them.
Have a look at Sputnik's gallery, showing the deadly operation and its gruesome outcome:
"Flying under radar control with a B-66 Destroyer, Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots bomb a military target through low clouds over the southern panhandle of North Vietnam. June 14, 1966."
A US Navy Douglas A-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 147642) from Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-8 Fireballers dropping a bomb over North Vietnam. VAH-8 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) for a deployment to Vietnam from March 6 to November 23, 1965.
20 mm cannon fire from a U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk from Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55) "Warhorses" splashes in a North Vietnamese river during strikes on barges on July 20, 1966. VA-55 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from December 10, 1965 to August 25, 1966.
A North Vietnamese supply train burns May 4, 1965, after being bombed by US Navy aircraft from USS Midway (CVA-41). The planes struck about 30 miles north of Vihn on the North Vietnamese coastal railway. Photograph released May 17, 1965.
A US Navy McDonnell F-4B-26-MC Phantom II (BuNo 153006) from Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154) "Black Knights" drops Mark 82 227 kg bombs on an artillery site north of the demilitarized zone in Vietnam, in support of the U.S. 3rd Marine Division, February 1968. The pilot was Lieutenant Junior Grade J. Quaintance, RIO was Lieutenant Junior Grade John H. Kelley. VF-154 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from November 4, 1967 to May 25, 1968.
Picture taken in April 1965 of the Shadow of RF-101 reconnaissance US aircraft flying over My Duo bridge, destroyed by American shellings, in North Vietnam, during the Vietnamese war.
Picture released on December 21, 1966 of the destructed houses of Thiep streets after a US raid by rockets in Hanoi during the Vietnamese war.
Newsfeed
0
Access to the chat has been blocked for violating the rules .
You will be able to participate again through:∞.
If you do not agree with the blocking, please use the feedback form
The discussion is closed. You can participate in the discussion within 24 hours after the publication of the article.
!["Flying under radar control with a B-66 Destroyer, Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots bomb a military target through low clouds over the southern panhandle of North Vietnam. June 14, 1966." - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/02/1107934144_0:0:2567:2047_600x0_80_0_1_2e7d506b2a2a46ebbac3c46e3c467fee.jpg ""Flying under radar control with a B-66 Destroyer, Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots bomb a military target through low clouds over the southern panhandle of North Vietnam. June 14, 1966."")
![20 mm cannon fire from a U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk from Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55) "Warhorses" splashes in a North Vietnamese river during strikes on barges on July 20, 1966. VA-55 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from December 10, 1965 to August 25, 1966. - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/02/1107934497_0:0:2983:2048_600x0_80_0_1_2f51c305e1650c48bb871d0ae18b85a4.jpg "20 mm cannon fire from a U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk from Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55) "Warhorses" splashes in a North Vietnamese river during strikes on barges on July 20, 1966. VA-55 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from December 10, 1965 to August 25, 1966.")
![A US Navy McDonnell F-4B-26-MC Phantom II (BuNo 153006) from Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154) "Black Knights" drops Mark 82 227 kg bombs on an artillery site north of the demilitarized zone in Vietnam, in support of the U.S. 3rd Marine Division, February 1968. The pilot was Lieutenant Junior Grade J. Quaintance, RIO was Lieutenant Junior Grade John H. Kelley. VF-154 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from November 4, 1967 to May 25, 1968. - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/02/1107935021_0:0:2731:2048_600x0_80_0_1_c0041de818fbe83ff7e3a6be9cd6a2bd.jpg "A US Navy McDonnell F-4B-26-MC Phantom II (BuNo 153006) from Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154) "Black Knights" drops Mark 82 227 kg bombs on an artillery site north of the demilitarized zone in Vietnam, in support of the U.S. 3rd Marine Division, February 1968. The pilot was Lieutenant Junior Grade J. Quaintance, RIO was Lieutenant Junior Grade John H. Kelley. VF-154 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from November 4, 1967 to May 25, 1968.")
.jpg){kind=link}
_(22306661213).jpg){kind=link}
