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Operation Linebacker II 1972
The B-52s are sent to Hanoi
Operation Linebacker II 1972
The B-52s are sent to Hanoi
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Description
The Linebacker II campaign of 1972 saw America's fearsome but irreplaceable B-52s finally sent into action above the Vietnamese capital Hanoi in an attempt to bomb the Vietnamese to the negotiating table.
After the failed April 1972 invasion of South Vietnam and the heavy US tactical bombing raids in the Hanoi area, the North Vietnamese agreed to return to the Paris peace talks, yet very quickly these negotiations stalled.
In an attempt to end the war quickly and 'persuade' the North Vietnamese to return to the negotiating table, President Nixon ordered the Air Force to send the US' ultimate conventional weapon, the B-52 bomber, against their capital, Hanoi. Bristling with the latest Soviet air defence missiles, it was the most heavily defended target in Vietnam. Taking place in late December, this campaign was soon dubbed the 'Christmas Bombings'.
Using specially commissioned artwork and maps, ex-USAF fighter colonel Marshall Michel describes Linebacker II, the climax of the air war over Vietnam, and history's only example of how America's best Cold War bombers performed against contemporary Soviet air defences.
Table of Contents
Chronology
Attackers' Capabilities
Defenders' Capabilities
Campaign Objectives
The Campaign
Analysis and Conclusion
Further Reading
Index
Product details
Published | Sep 20 2018 |
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Format | Ebook (PDF) |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 96 |
ISBN | 9781472827586 |
Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
Illustrations | Illustrated throughout with around 60 photos and at least 14pp of colour illustrations |
Series | Air Campaign |
Short code | ACM 6 |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
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Based on this insider information, Michel wrote his new book, which might be the final word on the eleven-day air-to-ground Linebacker II campaign.
VVA Veteran
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This book provides a very enjoyable read, is a serious book, and as such deserves a dedicated effort to fully understand and absorb.
IPMS/USA
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This is an essential book for students of the Vietnam air war, B-52s, and the SA-2 SAM … I highly recommend it.
Aero Scale Kitmaker
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This is an essential book for students of the Vietnam air war, B-52s, and the SA-2 SAM … I highly recommend it.
Aero Scale Kitmaker

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