
American History Tellers
History Daily: The “Christmas Bombing” of North Vietnam
Dec 18, 2023
Explore the intense bombing campaign of the Vietnam War known as the “Christmas Bombing” ordered by President Richard Nixon. Follow the experiences of a B-52 pilot and the impact on American servicemen. Learn about the successful shoot down of an American B-52 by the North Vietnamese Army. Delve into the aftermath of the US bombing strike and the adjustments made by the US Strategic Air Command. Discover the protests and backlash against the bombing campaign. Finally, learn about the final days of Operation Linebacker II and the resumption of peace talks in Paris.
18:29
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Quick takeaways
- The Christmas bombing campaign in North Vietnam aimed to demonstrate US military strength and pave the way for a peace agreement.
- The North Vietnamese army's successful counter-attacks against the B-52 bombers boosted morale and intensified anti-war sentiments in the US.
Deep dives
Overview of the Christmas bombing campaign
In December 1972, President Richard Nixon ordered an intensive bombing campaign over North Vietnam known as Operation Linebacker II, also called the Christmas bombing. The plan involved waves of B-52 bombers attacking targets across North Vietnam, including its capital, Hanoi. The campaign aimed to demonstrate the United States' overwhelming military strength and pave the way for a peace agreement. However, the bombing resulted in significant loss of life and drew widespread criticism from anti-war protesters and even some political allies.
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