Operation Linebacker II

Operation Linebacker II

Operation Linebacker II (Part of the Vietnam War)

Bomber B-52 strategic bombing was
.
Duration 18  to 30 December , 1972
Location North Vietnam: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, Ha Bac, Lang Son.
Results  victory of Democratic Republic Vietnam forced the U.S. to resume talks in Paris, led to the Paris Agreement signed with basically no content other than the already initialed in October 1972 - that the United States has refused to sign .

Join War

  U.S. Air Force                                                                                Vietnam People's Army

Command

  John Dale Ryan
  John W. Vogt Jr                                                                              Van Tien Dung
                                                                                                              Phung The Tai
                                                                                                              Le Van Tri

Force

197 to 207 strategic bombers B-52,                                       Forces and Air Force and air defense militias
  14 tactical air squadrons of aircraft types 1,077 from                                                                                                                                                                                                        
 3 airbases and 6 aircraft carriers
                                                                                               (including 23 battalions of SA-2 missiles
                                                                                               and 50 MiG fighters)


                                                                                       

Loss

Data from the United States 
12 planes were shot down tactic
16 B-52 was shot down
4 B-52 badly damaged
5 B-52 average damage
43 killed
49 were taken prisoner
Vietnam Data: 
81 planes were shot down
consists of 34 B-52 (16 falls in place) and 5 F-111
                                                                                                  1,624 civilian deaths
                                                                                                  Military casualties unknown
                                                                                                 6 MiG-21 was shot down [citation needed]
.
Operation Linebacker II was the last military operation of the United States against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the Vietnam War, from December 18 to December 30, 1972 after the Paris Conference and the deadlock was broken. This campaign is the serial linebacker bombing campaign took place from May to October 1972, except the big difference is that this time the focus will be bombarded by strategic bombers instead of the B-52 bombers and tactical aim is to use the power and measures unlimited strike on the headquarters of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. In this campaign the United States has used military force strategy with B-52 as the core bombing to destroy Hanoi, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen and the other goals for 12 consecutive days and nights. This is the most intense bombing during the Vietnam War and is one of the raid are most intense in the history of war. In 12 days, the United States has dropped more than 36,000 tons of bombs, excess weight threw bombs in the entire period from 1969 to 1971

The bombing but can cause heavy losses for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam but did not alter the position of the leadership of the basics of the peace agreement, and it caused a wave great discontent of the American people, the media and the politicians of the countries in the world including the long-term ally of the United States, the prestige of the U.S. government is seriously low. Objectionable in water, isolated on the international stage, having fought the efficient cause great damage to the strategic air forces, the enemy can not be forced to change stance, President Richard Nixon had to ordered the campaign ended on May 30, 12, proposed to resume negotiations in Paris and finally quickly signed the Paris Agreement on the basis that the U.S. draft had previously refused to sign. After the air bombing campaign, the pride of Vietnam People's Army and people in northern Vietnam on very high: they have to be defeated "Idol B-52", which is the basis for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Campaign is considered one of their great victory.

The campaign also has a heavy psychological significance for the U.S. military: this is the campaign that the U.S. has actively choose targets, timing, and method of combat is the use of special forte their base against enemy weakness (level of science and technology), a battle that the enemy would not be able to use elements "guerrilla" - an image: the U.S. challenge and the right choice weapons and has failed.

This campaign also shows weaknesses of weapons strategic bomber of the United States: a strategic weapon in the fight to potential competitors deserve the Soviet Union for a high-tech war has showing weakness early as he qualified economic, military, science - much less technology and weapons combat pay is not the enemy of high grade (at the time of 1972, SA-2 missile Vietnam which was used by the Soviet Union replaced the SA-4 and SA-5 is much stronger). Shortly after the Vietnam War, for this reason the United States had very high effort in an arms race in which bombers have today is the result bomber B-1 Lancer and B -2 Spirit stealth.

In Vietnam, the event is often referred to as the "12 day" and journalism, communications or imagery "Dien Bien Phu in the air" to emphasize the meaning and ultimate triumph of the big event.

United States 
After the defeat of the Army of Republic of Vietnam Campaign Lam Son 719, Vietnam People's Army in Southern continuous open attacks on the bases and strategic locations across the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Spring Summer 1972, the failure to plan for Vietnam war U.S. goods. To save face of a military superpower and to withdraw with honor, the United States has carried out bombings last campaign with the intention "make the north to the Stone Age," reduce military support of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to the southern battlefields.

In Paris early December, negotiations Vietnam - United States again stalemate. Republic of Vietnam (which are not participating caucus to negotiate agreement terms) tried to oppose the draft agreement, under which Vietnam People's Army kept their places in the South. Nguyen Van Thieu that the United States do so is to get rid of their responsibility. Nixon did not want a reputation that has left the Republic of Vietnam, the United States should require changes to the core content of the draft agreement, which is the regulation of the Vietnam People's Army in southern battle Vietnam. Accordingly, the United States wants "reciprocity", when U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam, the Liberation Army should withdraw from South Vietnam. Democratic Republic of Vietnam does not accept, such as the proposal put them on a par with the "invaders" are the U.S., and will make Liberation Army faced many difficulties later.

December 5th, Nixon make a phone call to Kissinger: "Let a gap in the door for the next meeting. I might be willing to allow massive bombing of North Vietnam during the resting time" (referred Christmas holiday season only). Night December 12, the White House chief of staff, authorized Heizman of Richard Nixon sent a telegram to the Kissinger wrote: "We should avoid anything that looks like a bargain we break unexpectedly dramatically. If it happens to break because they do not by us. In any case, the United States was not actively cut off the conversation. request We need to attend meetings delayed read more ".

But deliberately delaying the scenes, but when the official announcement, the United States blamed the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was not "serious negotiations". Thus, Western literature is that the Democratic Republic of Vietnam spent last meeting, and the U.S. bombing campaign that Vietnam is to "know" that the meeting accepted.

December 14, meeting with President Nixon's national security adviser Kissinger, General Alexander Haig and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff - Admiral Thomas Moorer through the last campaign plan Linerbacker II. Nixon told Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force: "It's lucky he's been using one of the effective strength of our military to win the war. If he does not do it I would consider him a responsible person. " The objective of the second linebacker is also the target of intense linebacker but blasting power and density to the DRV terrible to be forced to accept the terms of the United States, and clearly show that Nguyen Van Thieu Hoa States have the responsibility of trying to protect the Saigon government, instead of retreating without a fight.

Regarding military reasons, the bombing of politics this is not necessary because it was determined to withdraw U.S. troops from the war. U.S. knew that could not be caught Vietnam Democratic Republic concessions core issues that they fought for nearly 20 years, with only a fierce bombing though nowhere. It only American and world public opinion discontent with the U.S. government. This fact is only responsible way to express final obliged to ally the Republic of Vietnam when the draft agreement was initialed with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Vietnam government Republic has outcry and does not accept, the U.S. decision to use military ladder most aggressively to prove they have tried all the interests of its allies.

December 15, Le Duc Tho and Kissinger separated at Le Bourger airport (Paris). December 16, Kissinger press conference in Washington DC blame DRV prolonged negotiations. At December 18, when Le Duc Tho just got home (after visit Moscow and Beijing), the first bombs from B-52 during Operation Linebacker II fell to Hanoi.

Democratic Republic of Vietnam 
With seasoned political experience, from spring 1968, President Ho Chi Minh has told Minister Phung The Tai, this time as Deputy Chief of prediction:

"Sooner or later the American empire will bring the B-52 bombing of Hanoi and have lost last succumbed. Important to keep in mind before signing Panmunjeom armistice in Korea, the U.S. Air Force to destroy Pyongyang. In Vietnam, the U.S. lost certain, but it just gave up after losing in the sky Hanoi. "
-Ho Chi Minh

From May 5/1972, General Vo Nguyen Giap and advising staff of the Air Defense War question: "Rate downed B-52 degree rocked the White House, the extent America can not stand, have lost? ". After a few weeks, the answer was given:
N1 - the U.S. rate is 1-2% bear (of B-52 combat U.S.);
N2 - rate as the White House is rocked 6-7%;
N3 - forcing Americans lose ratio is above 10%.
Air Defense-Air Force eliminated N1, N2 and determination to achieve reach N3. Air Defense Force has made in excess of N3 targets. During the 12-day winter night in 1972, the percentage of B-52 was shot down was 17.6% (34/197 units, including Hanoi contributed 23 units).

Force 

U.S. Air Force]
America has mobilized
Nearly 50% B-52 of the United States (197 out of 400 units). 741 times the actual size of the
Nearly one third of tactical aircraft of the United States (1,077 out of 3,041 units). Actual size of 3920 time units.
Quarter of the carrier (6 out of 24 units), and many command ship - navigation, destroyers, missile boats, ship radar, ship protection, rescue boat, ...
Air Group 7 and 8 (Seventh and Eighth air force air force) including strategic air squadron B-52 (Strategic Wing) plays No. 43 and 72 at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam, including 143 the B-52G, B-52D and strategic aviation squadron consists of 307 54 B-52D aircraft were based at Utapao (Thailand); six tactical air squadrons (Tactical Fighter Wing) consists of 455 aircraft closing bases in Ubon Air Base in Korat and Takhli Thailand land, 2 124 aircraft squadrons stationed in South Vietnam (Da Nang).
No Task Group 77 (Task Force 77) is on the aircraft carrier naval squadrons with 420, including 6 aircraft carriers:
USS America: joint team of 8 (Carrier Air Wing 8) is the F-4, A-6, A-7.
USS Enterprise: 14 squadrons (F-4, A-6, A-7)
USS Midway: 5 squadron (F-4, A-7)
USS Oriskany: 19 squadrons (F-8, A-7)
USS Ranger: 2 squadrons (F-4, A-6, A-7)
USS Saratoga: 3 squadrons (F-4, -6, A-7)

Vietnam People's Army
Ack ack
361 Protection Division Hanoi Colonel Tran Quang Hung by the command of Colonel Tran Van Giang commissar. The units include three missile regiments SA-2 (with 1 missing regiments) and 5-aircraft regiment:

• Missile Regiment "The Speaker" by Lieutenant Colonel Tran Huu Create commander, battalion fire with 4 and 1 engineering battalion, each battalion has 6 firepower launchers and rounds of combat readiness of 12 results:
•  Battalion 57 fire lieutenant commander Nguyen Van Phiet.
• 59 fire Battalion  by Captain Nguyen Thang commande
• Battalion 93 fire Capt. Nguyen Manh Hung by the commander.
• Battalion 94 fire by Tran Minh Thang lieutenant commander.
• 95 due to technical Battalion Captain Binh Khiem Do commander.
• Missile Regiment "Red Flag" by Lt. Col. Nguyen Ngoc Dien command, staff and technical firepower Regiment 261:
• 76 fire Battalion Captain by Captain Le Van Systems Command.
• Battalion 77 fire by Van Dinh The lieutenant commander.
•  Battalion 78 fire by lieutenant commander Nguyen Chan.
•  Battalion 79 fire by lieutenant  commander Nguyen Van Chien.
•  the 80 th engineering battalion lieutenant commander Vuong Toan Tuoc.
• Missile Regiment "Hung" King marched from the Vinh Linh, at the start of the campaign with only one battalion ammunition and combat readiness.
•  Battalion 86 fire by captain Pham Dinh Phung command: beginning of combat readiness campaign.
• 87 due to fire Battalion Captain Do Ngoc U.S. commander: no weapons
•  Battalion 88 fire by lieutenant commander Le Name: ready to fight from December 26.
• Battalion 89 fire by Captain Nguyen Thuc command: ready to fight from December 26.
• Due to technical Battalion 90 commander Capt. Nguyen Trac.
• The anti-aircraft regiment "Duong River," "Tam dao", "Dong Da", "August".
• Anti-aircraft regiment "Song Thuong", "Ba Vi": enhancing the 361 Division from December 25
• Militia Hanoi (distribution of 361) of the 226 teams, equipped with 741 artillery guns of all types, including 18 100 mm artillery.
• Protection Division 363 Hai Phong Bui Posted by Colonel DIY commander, Lieutenant Colonel Vu Trong made the Harbor Committee, including two regiments payroll SA-2 missile, a three battalion regiment with fire, 1 sub technical missions in combat readiness posture, 1 anti-aircraft regiments and one sub-cluster high. 
• Missile Regiment "Ha Long" by Lieutenant Colonel Dao Cong commander Nephrology, 3/4 battalion enough firepower in the status of weapons and ammunition standards.
• Battalion 81 fire: combat readiness of the campaign.
• Battalion 82 fire: combat readiness of the campaign.
• Battalion 83 fire: combat readiness of the campaign.
• Battalion 84 fire: not enough ammunition.
• Technical Battalion 85: beginning of combat readiness campaign.
• Missile Regiment "Nam Trieu" by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Lam commander, 3/4 battalion enough firepower in the status of weapons and ammunition standards.
• Battalion 71 fire: combat readiness of the campaign, from 21-12 is the distribution of the 361 Division
• Fire Battalion 72: Pham Van Chat by lieutenant commander, ready to fight from the first campaign, from 21-12 is the distribution of the 361 Division
• Fire Battalion 73: Purity Order by lieutenant commander, ready to fight from the first campaign
• Battalion 74 fire: not enough ammunition.
• Technical Battalion 75: beginning of combat readiness campaign.
• Anti-aircraft regiment "Song Cam" includes three of the 37 mm cannon, one of the 57 mm cannon, the cannon of 100 mm 2 and 1 non-cluster machine gun 14.5 mm and 12 mm.
• Militia Hai Phong (coordination of Division 363), including 92 platoons, equipped with over 200 infantry gun (RPD, AK-47 and K-44).
• Division 365 air defense to protect the area from South Delta to Quang Binh, payroll includes 3 missile regiments and 3-aircraft regiment. Of these, only 6/12 battalion fire missiles in condition enough weapons ready to fight. [16]
• Missile Regiment "Quang Trung" with 41 battalions and 42 fire in combat-ready condition.
• Missile Regiment "Dien Bien" with 52 battalions and 53 fire in combat-ready condition.
• Missile Regiment "Soc Son" flower power with 66 battalions and 67 in the state of combat readiness.
• The anti-aircraft regiment "Song Lam", "Hoa Lu", "Song Gianh".
• Ack ack 375 Division 1 North Road protected from Bac Giang to Dong Mo, industrial and railway Thai Vinh Yen - Lao Cai, payroll missile regiment of 1 and 5 anti-aircraft regiment: 
• Missile Regiment "Red Flag" missile Hunqi 1 (China) has broken weapons, not restored.
• The anti-aircraft regiment "Song Cau," "Chi Lang", "Van Kiep"
• 256 anti-aircraft regiments of the North Vietnamese Army (Coordinator of Division 375) Taiyuan protection.
• 254 anti-aircraft regiment of the Military Region Northwest (Coordinator of Division 375) Yen Bai protection.

Air Force 

The Regiment "Red Star", "Yen The", "Lam Son", is equipped with the MiG-21, MiG-19 and MiG-17
National Radar realm
The regiment "Phu Dong", "Song Ma", "Ba", "Hieu" and Battalion 8
Anti - craft  Militia 
Consists of 364 teams with 1428 gun or cannon types. Of these 769 middle-age export venture (RPD, RPK, PK ...); 284 major export 12.7 mm 14.5 mm 263 export related matter; 61 37mm anti-aircraft guns, 19 57mm anti-aircraft guns, 32 anti-aircraft gun KS-19 100mm.

Coping tactics of Vietnam People's Army 


Streaks after the B-52 bomb carpet. 1 3 B-52 group can create 1 3 km long trail of bombs and 1.5 km wide, including the craters scattered


SAM missiles and artillery for 12 days and nights of Dien Bien Phu in the air

Before the campaign, the B-52 was repeatedly bombed flew into northern airspace. In particular, in the Six Day War in 1967, Israel has confiscated more than 20 SA-2 system is intact Arab troops left the retreat, so the U.S. has been exhaustively detailed grasp of the system. In 1969, the radar system to turn 1 P-12 planes of Egypt fell into the hands of Israel, all the analysis results are transferred to the United States.  Thus, in 1970, the radar main room of the Vietnam People's Army, the U.S. had been captured, and the U.S. has produced the jamming device is very effective.

As the B-52D, initially brought 8 machine jamming, then to 12/1972 to 15 machines jamming, interfering foil 2 catapults. A top 3 B-52 with 45 machines, so that all interference form the overlapping noise, dense, interwoven, large capacity and wide. Not to mention with B-52's flying squad specialized aircraft electronic warfare, radar jamming. This makes air defense radar systems have noise, can not detect and lock the B-52 shot. The radar station at around P-12 battalion of SA-2 missiles only obtain the dense noise, sometimes making the screen white.

Central Military Commission instructed the Air Defense - Air Force study of anti-jamming measures, typing research, uncompromising strategic aircraft downed B-52. After 19 days in the U.S. brought Pass price drop bombs, northwest of Quang Binh, President Hu said on 19/07/1965: "Although the U.S. B-57, B-52 or B... whatever, but we also highly rated is certain to win. Remarks to the cave to catch the tiger. "

From the end of 1968, the commander of Air Defense-Air Force sent delegations technical staff, including part of the reconnaissance battalion accompanied the missile battalion in southern Military Region 4 and routes Truong Son Strategic load monitoring, research seeks to identify and B-52 aircraft.

By tracking the two dry seasons in 1968-1969 and 1969-1970, the team detected a B-52 aircraft radar jamming is not. On that basis, the end of 1971, a group of researchers proposed an improved research techniques: Use of radar is not B-52 aircraft jamming paired with radio controls for missiles B-52.

1/1972, the group completed the study design drawings, and then transferred to the 76th Battalion, 257th Missile Regiment assembled into the new weaponry. 6/1972, the Engineering Department and provide some sample drawings for the Department of Military Z119 factory to assemble the 6 sets of new weaponry. The new weapons KX symbols.

Along with the KX weaponry, the group is also studying the possibility of radar "noise bars" in different types of radar, to detect the target B-52 which is very faint in the noise ranges. The noise has enough style format, with all sorts of different names are placed in the shape of such interferences scan, rain noise, noise rope, vegetables ... January 10-1972, brochure entitled "How to beat B -52 of the missile "was printed, called the book" Handbook red cover, "a 30-page typed out a sheet and covered with red cover. In the book regardless of experience true-false target in front of the oscilloscope to view the missile can hit the target.

Book "Handbook covers red" says

• But the U.S. military does not interfere, but the dense mess of noise on the oscilloscope screen, B-52 is not completely invisible, if the eye can detect targets in a B-52 indirect: it is the crowd noise signal goes down as smooth scrolling speed of the B-52. While the goal is not clearly shown to be able to identify the target and the missile control handbook was correct but set fire probabilistic measures: firing a rocket salvo into the crowd noise in most spacing distance will have to destroy the target probability is high, the probability of this edition is "manual" call "option P".
• When the target B-52 went straight to radio interference intensity signal will increase, but there will be more goals, objectives clearer displays, this is the time the driver can fire missiles accurately "T plans", while just 1 to 2 missiles, B-52 would have to fall in place.
• In "Manual" also sets out specific guidelines for the level of battalion commander of the missile command, choosing the noise, the timing of the broadcast, free range ammo, shooting method method interference target stick ...

Another tactic is the "3-point shooting method" based on the existing weapons. When the B-52 in Hanoi, jamming intensity was also distributed. This User heavy noise, but in the other direction, sides, front, rear ... missile units could be detected on the background noise B-52. VPA has arranged team lined missiles each, so that each could top U.S. aircraft attacked from many missile systems in many directions, using 3-point shooting method and use versatile methods welcome to see the half-angle shooting targets.


Handbook red cover "The B-52's hit the missile", 1972.

There are also technical fire control radar instead of optical. The team found that the fight closely divided for many as it is no longer appropriate and will be difficult to destroy aircraft, monitoring closely the two corner strips how much to put on enemy aircraft wing chord waves to be able to capture and hold fire. Monitoring plan using only the optical monitoring standards for the car crank control stick. Since 1968, the Soviet experts have conducted additional optical assembly PA-00 on the roof of the vehicle azimuth antenna transceiver. This device is designed so that when two closely monitoring the optical precision on a plane is monitoring the two wrong angle and azimuth of the vehicle and the control stick right on that plane, though on the oscilloscope screen band noise is complicated. In addition, the P-12's radar battalions distances accurately determine target range to choose appropriate launcher.

On the U.S. side, weapon is anti-radar missile (AGM-45 Shrike as kind, AGM-78 Standard ARM). Shrike missiles after launch to find and "catch" the target by radar waves, and then break into explosive, is specialized weapons to destroy enemy air defense systems. When a few dozen meters from the radar, the missile exploded first, thrown tens of thousands of square balls to destroy the radar, then the rest crashed 2nd explosion to destroy notes. In the Middle East, dozens of air defense missile systems of the Arab League missiles had been destroyed, leaving the force unable to fight. Vietnam was the Army Research, disable broadcast by instant, sudden shutdown and radio antenna back the other way, so working Shrike missile inertial bias and fall battlegrounds. Along with the main battlefield, the Vietnam team made many false battle, after each rocket launch pad pull back quickly to other battlegrounds. The rocket is made of weaved fake, looks like a real paint. When real rocket launcher, the missile base is fake straw burning, creating blinding smoke, fool the American aircraft. [24] Thus for 12 days and nights of the campaign, only one of the battlefield at room not being hit, Vietnam air defense forces preserving forces to continue fighting.

For the Air Force, from mid-1972, 12 pilots have been selected to drive a night fighter (which requires more technical fighter than the day) are ready to hit B-52. The pilot Pham Tuan said: "The Air Force is more difficult, B-52 aircraft is very strong support, the night flight, radar jamming, jamming targets ... in addition, the B-52 itself is missile bait, if MiG-21 missiles, the B-52 rocket bait drop, not to mention the B-52 is also equipped with rear gun capable of destroying fighters. B-52 are guaranteed protection of the fighter, interceptor, hitting right on target as the airport, battlefield missiles. Air Force must have the airport, avoiding the F-4 protects B-52, to be rapidly approaching. therefore, the Air Force set to fly at the airport short, new in agriculture, forestry, low flying training, flying high to be able to quickly access the B-52. The same time represents wisdom and creativity of the nation, the Vietnam People's Air Force. they have to take off in difficult conditions, to lift off to fight. This requires the will, but the will not enough, to be creative., for example we do a lot of alternate airports, or take off on the runway side. Even when we put another 2 additional missiles, the aircraft that can take off on only 200-300m runway runway 1.5 km compared with conventional ... Russian aircraft manufacturer and taught us how to fly, but facing reality is disturbed, it is difficult to know what lies in the B52, a difficult to know exactly. Therefore, pilots must be active. Here is the pilot's field, to judge how the situation is. "

One point worth noting, some sources said that SA-2 missiles have improved range cascad lift. But the reality is not, by SA-2 missiles can land on the target at an altitude of 24,000 while the maximum service ceiling of 17,000 B-52's only (as bomber, the altitude of 10,000) , so the increased range is not necessary. In fact, the factors that helped shoot down the B-52 lies in the improvement of radar equipment to "find the enemy line noise".

Another problem is related to 2 SA-3 systems of Vietnam could not combat. Soviet-Arab aid since 1969 but until 1972, the Soviet Union began to aid SA-3 Vietnam (Soviet policy priorities more Arab aid and weapons Vietnam to avoid new tensions with the U.S.). According to Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Phiet, the SA-3 have shot faster speed (with 2 missile / launcher instead of 1 1 missiles such as SA-2), the probability of winning is higher goal. I count 18/12, 276 Regiment - SA-3 unit to the second clamp (Bac Giang). 276 Regiment ability to concentrate all fire battalion 169 complete uniform before entering the campaign. 169 Battalion were deployed dominate the battlefield and in North Hong (Dong Anh District, Hanoi), technical staff deployed fast assembly lines are 4 rounds SAM-3. However, when the preparation is complete, the combat air defense campaign ended the night before.

Evolution 

During the campaign a total of 741 turns of B-52 bombing of North Vietnam in which has destroyed 12 times , during which time there are 212 turns of B-52 bombers to southern Vietnam. Support for the bombers is 3,920 times bomber tactical air force and navy. In total, more than 36,000 tons of bombs were dropped where the USA is considered to be 18 goals and 14 industrial military targets (including 8 locations SAMs).


Ack ack-Vietnam People's Army

The U.S. Air Force raids took place throughout the day with a focus on the B-52 bombers at night. A large force of B-52 aircraft, each carrying a maximum of 66 750-pound bombs (340 kg) bombs or 108 500-pound (227 kg) carried out the attack to destroy every night in Hanoi and Hai Phong. As the day turns flying tactical constantly raiding the airport fierce fighter air force North Vietnam, the SAM sites and air defense radar stations.

In the last 12 days and nights in 1972, more than half a million people in the U.S. (approximately 50% of Hanoi's population at the time) was held evacuated to the suburban districts and neighboring provinces to avoid casualties. Major General Nguyen Van Ninh, former Deputy Director of Operations Bureau of the General Staff, said that he was interested in and spend the time to learn the speedy evacuation of Hanoi people in the fiercest war days. By doing this good policy Hanoi minimize casualties before the fierce destructive power of modern weapons. [27]


Regiment Sao Do air-hero unit of the armed forces in the Battle of the North "Dien Bien Phu in the air" is equipped with MiG-21

To avoid northern air defense system, the U.S. used B-52 aircraft flying at high altitude carpet bombing targets like airports Kep, Phuc Yen, Hoa Lac, rail systems, warehouses, Thai power plant, railway hubs Bac Giang, Hanoi petroleum storage ... Damage to infrastructure in North Vietnam is very heavy. Ha Noi, Hai Phong was destroyed, plants, factories, residential areas around military targets and civilian became rubble. In Hanoi, particularly in Kham Thien carpet bombing had destroyed the entire city block, killing 287 civilians, wounding 290 people, 178 children became orphans, including 112 orphans with both parents. Bach Mai Hospital, the largest medical facility north of Vietnam was completely destroyed along with the patient and physician, nurse inside. The number of civilians killed in the 2200 campaign , in which the numbers were statistically Hanoi is 1,318 people. The campaign was heavily destroyed much infrastructure, economy, transportation, industrial and military in northern Vietnam but did not alter the position of leader the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

On 12.18.1972 

On 12.18.1972, the first top B-52 sorties. On the target map at headquarters, one of three women who spend map named Nguyen Thi Van anxious to see the signal to fly the B-52. She recalls: "At first is a top, right next to the 2 top, then the top mass appears as a flock flies. But mentally complete the task of a soldier who helped me calm down and continue to mark the route. " 361 Division Headquarters to monitor the direction of the top offensive target before the top division and destroy mission objectives for the fire division.

Battalion 57 Missile Regiment battle at 261 with Red River's north bank division first missile hit squad raids stop. Battalion 57 Battalion Chief Nguyen Van Phiet is a seasoned commander, roll each fight American air strikes over 5 years but have never encountered such serious case of harassment. He recalled: "All of the target signal disappeared in the crowd around the screen glare is white noise waves. Oscilloscope display in front of officers the control and monitoring up blue cross lines interlacing with each other and constantly changing, the band trash successive interference occurs, then melted together into before appeared hundreds, thousands blip on the screen cover is like the cloud wave signals are moving targets chaos. With the tangle of chaotic signals associated with the radar screen flickered constantly drifting down like pouring rain ... ". On the car driver, the team monitored the missile control effort followed by 52 B-band noise radar station P-12 planes instead turned control Fan Song radar to avoid exposing positions in public broadcasting machine institutional pressure fighter Wild Weasel air defense anti-radar missile. But sticking to passive targets ineffective due to heavy interference.

Militarily, the U.S. forces had underestimated the enemy's air defense. the U.S. Air Force relies on techniques to electronic jamming and blindfolded radar for air defense missiles methods. In response, the air defense forces People's Army has solved the problem by creating tactical measures and reasonable. Although the United States use a radar jamming device strong, Vietnam air defense found a way to detect traces of B-52 in the interference range, shoot the B-52 aircraft and has the probability of success that far exceeds expectations .

In the first days of fighting, the air raid squad forward, Battalion Chief Battalion 78 Nguyen Chan visible "layers of the same type of interference look big fan of the spokes overlap the drop-down, erase all frequency bands, the monitoring team dazzled. Forget the target signal twisted, tangled lumps together like a roll of wool". When the team approached the B-52 radar units realm of not detecting the target, Chan decided to open the transmitter Wave scour goals. Soon officer Nguyen Van Train drivers have been clinging to the interference range of a B-52 and turn signal button to display the target stick out 3 waves of the survey. Surveying the distance Dinh Trong Due chanted "B-52" and the other for monitoring the tweaks distance, azimuth and angle strips sticking evil interference.


List of air defense units and air Democratic Republic of Vietnam shot down B52  publicly in Ack-ack -Air Force Museum, Hanoi.

Few kilometers from Hanoi in the north, 59 Battalion launched missiles were sliding all 4 rounds, but the enemy is still throwing up bombs boss battle. Now, while watching the bombing of enemy flying into the screen on the P-12 radar and map table next target, Nguyen Thang battalion received orders from headquarters tasked Regiment 261 671 can destroy targets top elevation of 10,000 feet. Up battalion command control officer immediately Duong Van Thuan: "Objective, azimuth 350, distance 30 km, elevation 10,000 feet, broadcasting". Pros hit the crank to adjust an antenna azimuth 350 and started broadcasting switch targets. After 4 seconds the wave, as seen on the oscilloscope screen to show the interference bands Strike 3 squad a B-52, Thuan Thang battalion reports: "Detecting targets, azimuth 352, unknown distance, elevation 10,000 feet, according to the top, fly on ". Level switch oscilloscope screen looked before control officer position and come back to check on the target signal top commander oscilloscope screen and route map on the target table, then ordered the reporter to prepare Thuan 2 bullets.

Even in normal conditions, the combat controllers manually follow missile target reflected signal on the oscilloscope screen was a difficult task, let alone driving range missiles on B-52's noise. Just crank on drivers stranded jerky or yaw the missile to the target number of trees and exploded in the air. When the B-52 entered, press release instant Thuan 2 ammo with the focus on monitoring the oscilloscope screen and crank, just stick to the objective and lead. 24 seconds after the bombs were launched, signal lights detonator shells landing near the first and second output flashing light on the dashboard indicates good explosive. Surveying the Nguyen Van The azimuth angle and monitoring the Le Xuan Linh evil report turn signal interference range of targets on the screen disappears and the azimuthal wave quickly climbs on the oscilloscope screen wrong angle. The B-52 codenamed contact one of Bob Charcoal Certain gunned down when police had to bomb targets, 3 of the 6 pilots killed. It was the first B-52 shot down during the campaign.

On 20.12.1972

Location and time of the spot of 16 B52 aircraft was shot down.

December 20 saw the intense efforts of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam against the B-52 aircraft, which was on the B-52 suffered the highest losses in the whole campaign. That night, Vietnam air defense forces have launched SAM 36 missile attacks during 3. Nets fire control organization and very wise. Sometimes the Vietnam People's Army is not the first attack on the border airspace targets that use it to determine the route and circled, then the minutes after the team suffered heavy fire near the drop point bomb, where they have stable flight, and on the withdrawal from the target.

In a situation with three battalions to the launcher and missile on a B-52 bomb bay opened making it explode. Flash fire from the explosion of 30 tons of bombs so powerful that an American reconnaissance aircraft operating in the Gulf of Tonkin 80 miles that way is still visible. Only 2 of the 6 crew members aboard the plane survived. At Division Headquarters tunnel 361 consecutive female newscaster announced that the military situation to the other end of this one B-52 was shot down. The Commander of the room to Le Van Tri Power 361 Division announced: "The attack of the enemy was confusion. We're ringing call themselves a screaming panic and force the pilot to the head ... ".

At midnight that day, the commander of the U.S. Strategic Air Command canceled the B-52 bomber to the target phase 2 in Hanoi that switched to other targets in the headline on the north. The missile crew Vietnam has done the things that the Japanese, Germans, North Koreans, the Chinese have not done in previous wars, it was the first time in history and unique set of campaign Size of U.S. aviation, bomber squad is on its way to attack targets close to the back room because the system does not run into the enemy. Despite the attacks cancel the second round but still managed SAC launched the 3rd round of attacks to invade Hanoi 4 am the next day, at which forces air defense missile to Vietnam was full ammo, more 3 B-52 shot down. In total that night, 4 B-52G aircraft and 2 B-52B aircraft was shot down, a B-52D aircraft were shot down.

On 27.12.1972 

Also in this campaign, on the night of 27-12, the first B-52 bombers shot down by a fighter aircraft MiG-21, by Pham Tuan control. B-52 but only weak aerial ability, but it always includes dozens squad F-4 fighters flying in to defend, so it is very difficult to attack. Pham Tuan said: Because B-52 equipped with interference temperature probe bait rocket, so he was trying to close down B-52 at a distance of 2-3 km and then rocket launcher (though the range of the missile is 8 km), in this range missiles only takes 2-3 seconds to reach the target so the B-52 will not keep bait interference. Learning from the Universe for that (only 1 rocket launch is not enough to lower spot B-52), he immediately launched two missiles at the target, the missile did not retain backup. After the shooting, Pham Tuan deceleration, pulling the plane up and flip to escape, he saw the B-52 explosion, then the planes crashed through the explosion point. However, due to the action of the escape speed should the camera nose of the MiG-21 was not able to capture the moments that make materials.

Tuan continue said: "When the sky then, the pilot must quickly come into favorable conditions, so we have to guess F-4 where we usually stop, heights do we avoid. If the F- 4 flying at an altitude of 3 km, we must fly higher, more speed. All that experience to build a flight plan to avoid F-4. Archive F-4 that much, right there, the left. Below is the command that goes through. therefore overcome somehow? Here is the pilot's field, to judge how the situation is. Battle B-52's are very fast, B-52 approached less than a minute. behind when approaching B-52 with a very high speed, 1,500 km / h over the speed of the B52 is 900 km / h should have overcome all. Overcoming must include includes all efforts from organizations commanders, airport takeoff, navigation, in order to get the best conditions. agreement with the army to cut missile, when fired missiles on F-4 to avoid washed out we enlist to pass. then choose the direction to reach B-52 looks like. created all the conditions most favorable rating B-52. shot B-52 I finished the F-4 was in behind, but do not do anything. "

Some sources said that U.S. missiles had missed him, the B-52 was hit by SA-2 missile in mid-air and then explode, causing Pham Tuan think his missiles to destroy targets. But if analysis, this is very unlikely. The time from when the rocket until Pham Tuan's escape lasts only 4-5 seconds. Among the captured American pilots, Lt. Paul Louis Granger, copilot opening drive B-52 aircraft of the MiG he fired first, then the SA-2 missile fueled. however That is the case of the B-52D serial number 56-0622, code-named "Orange 03" was shot down at Yen Vien at 20 hours 32 minutes (ie 13 hours 32 minutes GMT) December 20, 1972.

On 12.28.1972 

The day after that night 28-12, Vu Xuan Thieu pilots also recorded the B-52 was lower in the sky, Son La, but Thieu and aircraft lost with enemy aircraft.

Results 

Damage of the U.S. Air Force announced that the 10 B-52 was shot down over North Vietnam territory, the other 5 falls in Laos or Thailand . 26 B-52 pilots were rescued, 33 people were dead or missing, 33 were taken prisoner of war . At the same time, the U.S. Air Force lost 12 tactical aircraft (F-111 2, 3 F-4, 2 A-7, A-6-2, EB-1 66, 1 rescue helicopter and 1 HH-53 aircraft RA -5C), 10 tactical pilots killed, 8 were arrested, and 11 were rescued. Of the 28 aircraft and the B-52 was shot down tactic, 17 cases hit by SA-2 missile, 3 cases due to air in daytime MiG attacks, three by flak, and 3 cases of unknown cause. 4 other B-52 was hit badly damaged but was still in the airport and 5 others damaged average.


One piece body aircraft B-52 was shot down in Huu Tiep Lake, Hanoi during Operation Linebacker II

According to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam , a total of 12 days and nights have shot down 81 aircraft, including 34 B-52 (a fall of 16 on site), 5 the F-111 (2 units are falling in place).
According to estimates of the United States , Vietnam has launched more than 1,000 missiles following 12 days and nights, it means that the U.S. missile rounds of the People's Army of Vietnam was about to run out, there are comments that if the United States persist for several days, raiding could have won. However, according to the People's Army of Vietnam, carried out throughout the campaign they launched 334 SA-2 missile rounds, with 60% of the reserves of good ammo Hanoi, Hai Phong, and they also serve in more than 300 missiles to reuse old. Along with 2,036 100mm artillery rounds, 15 669 57mm rounds, 19 454 37mm rounds, 1,147 14.5mm rounds, accounting for 66% of the reserves of Hanoi and Haiphong. Thus, if you continue to maintain this intensity, the Vietnam People's Army still has enough ammunition to fight for another 10 days. Not to mention 2 missile complexes SA-3 new higher capacity with 100 SA-2 missile is expected to put into combat on December 31, 1972. In fact, when the U.S. airstrikes continued in Zone IV in January 1973, the missile unit of Vietnam is still strong enough to keep fighting,  shot down and shoot down 4 B-52 added

Some other statistics of Vietnam

• In 34 B-52 was shot down, 29 is due to the anti-aircraft missiles, 3 is due to the 100mm artillery, 2 is due to the MiG-21.
• Missile shot down 36 aircraft types, air force fighters shot down 12 aircraft, the remaining anti-aircraft artillery or machine guns shot down.
• The unit detects the first B-52: The 16th Regiment 291 radar team - 19h10 December 18.
• The first unit type B-52: 78 Battalion 257 Regiment - 19h44 December 18.
• Unit B-52 shot down first: 59 Battalion 261 Regiment - 20h13 December 18.
• Regiment 261 B-52 shot down many least 12 units.
• 257 Regiment shot down at least where many B-52: 8 pcs.
• 57 Battalion (Regiment 261) B-52 shot down many one: 4.
• Battalion shot down at least where many B-52: 77 Battalion (Regiment 257) and 93 Battalion (Regiment 261): each battalion shot down three B-52.
• 79 Battalion (Regiment 257) shot down a B-52 final: 23h16 December 29
• 72 Battalion (Regiment 285) fired rockets in the last campaign: 23h29 December 29

Rate 

Books Vietnam War known as Linebacker II aerial battle of Dien Bien Phu, as a way of highlighting the successes of the Vietnam air defense forces in the Democratic Republic of the campaign.

Charles Barrows, Captain B-52 pilot was taken prisoner put matters right when sitting in Hoa Lo: "avionics on B-52 aircraft are sophisticated and expensive, but still not well-jamming radar North Vietnam. Super B-52 Flying Fortress was improved several times, very good machines ... The B-52 pilots are trained sophisticated, mastering the modern tactics and B-52 is protected dense, but was shot down because the bullet of Ack-ack force ... U.S. Air Force's strategy can not bear the loss ratio of Hanoi B.52 sky ".

On Air Force Magazine, John L. Frisbee wrote: "During World War 2 bomber losses was not room or enemy fighters shot down in two key battleground is estimated to average: 64 sorties there every 1 unit was shot down. Conversely, over parts of Hanoi and Haiphong as every 49 sorties had a B-52 was shot down. "

Former Deputy Chief of Staff U.S. Air Force Airforce magazine when replying month 6/1973 also acknowledged that "it is clear that North Vietnam has experienced SAM missiles as well as other kinds of anti-aircraft guns. They also experience in detecting aircraft from the ground control station ... U.S. Air Force electronic warfare conducted on a large scale, but the plane is still vulnerable. We believe North Vietnam Nam has developed air defense forces experienced in the world. Obviously they have experienced more than any other country in order to reduce rocket plane ".

As soon as the sun rises in the morning, 19-12, 2 the B-52 was shot down at the first night. Congratulations pouring in from all over to the Ministry of the Capital Command room. General Rings recalls, "A special atmosphere filled headquarters from battalion level to the Joint Chiefs, from the rear to the front line north south. The defense forces have not the capital to be confronted and return the most powerful weapons of the United States, which has made the country rejoiced in the military population ".

Lev Nicolayevich Colonel Markov, from month to month 8-1972 10-1971 taught at School Officers and Non-crew training for monitoring missile Vietnam. He says: "I have studied war strategies of many countries and found that, in the world at war with the defense that won the attacks, especially when there is a large difference in potential military, armed forces, such as between Vietnam and the U.S. military, especially the "super B-52 Flying Fortress", showing that Americans can not be shot down! So that Vietnam had defeated very brittle retired. It was a war of intellect with wisdom, intelligence "fighting" smart, rather than conventional war ".

Author Michael Marshall wrote: "After these two sides are only of the same recognition that linebacker II is an important game deciding the outcome of the war., For Americans, the Paris Peace Treaty helped Nixon completed the goal of bringing home prisoners and an end to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and still make the commitment to prop up the government of South Vietnam. Persons Vietnam said that the U.S. bombing campaign is for the purpose of forcing them to surrender and withdraw its troops from the South. So when the agreement allows them to remain stationed in the South, the Vietnam War Linebacker II that have failed and this belief has been strengthened Their problems were billeted troops in the south to conduct major offensive campaign unification in 1975., but to thoroughly understand this point of difference, I had to record the understanding of the Vietnamese that linebacker II is simply a string of victories won during the 30-year war for independence. Evidence for victory that they have completed the reunification of the country ".

The international protest 

Bombing campaign was very strong protest from around the world, citizens in the socialist countries to pressure their governments to require formal condemnation of the bombing. China and the Soviet Union regularly expressed dissatisfaction before re-bombed, but they did not have any other moves. In fact, the criticism is more powerful in Western countries. In Paris, Le Monde reported compared with the bombing of Guernica, Guernica bombing destroyed by Nazi Germany perform during the Spanish Civil War. The UK's largest newspaper, the Daily Mirror, commented: "The bombing of North America back to Vietnam has made the world so frightening back." The government United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, England, Italy and Sweden have spoken. One of the most intense reaction of the Swedish Prime Minister, he condemned the bombing as a crime against humanity on the scale of moral atrocities of the Nazi concentration camp at Treblinka. Palme also personally to a department store to collect signatures for a petition demanding an end nationwide bombing - to send to Nixon.

In the U.S., Nixon was criticized as crazy (madman). Many of those who have supported the bombing in May this question both the need and the extraordinary brutality of linebacker II.

December 30, 1972, President Nixon ordered the bombing ended (with the only reason being his spokesman put out a "clear signs that serious negotiations can be resumed") and talks to sign the agreement. There are two trends comment about this event. Another trend that is due to the pressure of world opinion and American people, and failed to force concessions Hanoi. Another trend  argue that it is because the campaign has achieved the government target is the Democratic Republic of Vietnam has expressed interest in returning to negotiations, but General Vo Nguyen Giap, the U.S. insisted that the main and leave the meeting before the meeting suggested the U.S., However, it is important that the Paris Agreements final plans are basically indistinguishable from the plans were signed off before negotiations were delays due to the U.S. refusal to sign. This means that Operation Linebacker II, the United States has not conducted a results obtained.

Remembering 

In the carpet-bombing of Kham Thien Street, Hanoi night December 26, 1972 killed 278 people, including 91 women, 40 elderly, 55 children, 178 grandchildren orphaned make including 66 grandchildren grave orphans with both parents, 290 injured, 2,000 homes, schools, temples, theaters, clinics were destroyed, including 534 homes were completely destroyed.  The house at 51 Kham Thien Street is only a crater, seven people live in the house no one survived. This land became a monument with a plaque bearing the inscription, "Kham Thien inculcate hatred of the U.S. aggressors" and a bronze statue of a woman holding hands on a child died because of American bombs, object is taken from the prototype home owner is destroyed. Since the bombs that, every year, to the bombing anniversary, people on the street, and many other places come here to burn incense commemorate those who have died from American bombs.

In Bach Mai hospital courtyard plaque bearing the word "Hate" to remember about the B-52 bomber hit the hospital on May 22 12, making 1 patients and 30 nurses, doctors killed (with 1 nurse pregnant 3 months).