Operation Linebacker II

Operation Linebacker II (also known as the Christmas bombings; Vietnam called it the Điện Biên Phủ in the air because of its similarity to the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ) was the name given for the last United States' twelve-day bombing campaign and offensive against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It started from 18 December to 30 December 1972 and it targeted major cities of Hanoi and Haiphong of North Vietnam because the Paris Peace Accords was not going well at the time. It aimed to destroy many North Vietnamese military sites as possible, North Vietnam also against these United States Air Force's attacks by reinforcing air defence network with the support from the Soviet Union. On 20 December 1972, after six Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft bombers got shot down by North Vietnam's surface-to-air missiles (SAM), the United States focused on its efforts to attack these SAM batteries. On 26 December 1972, 120 Boeing B‐52 Stratofortress aircraft bombers were taken off and successfully completed its mission with eight aircrafts damaged/shot down. Many aircrafts, including Republic F-105 Thunderchief, Douglas A-3 Skywarrior and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II had supported the attacks. The bombing campaign ended on 30 December but two more were also executed until 2 January 1973, when North Vietnam agreed to resume the Paris Peace Accords talks.

 References 

Category:1972 in Asia
Category:1970s in Vietnam
Category:1970s in Asia
Category:1970s conflicts
Category:Vietnam War
Category:Battles involving the United States