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The US feared that Soviet and Red Chinese technicians might be at certain "sensitive" areas, such as Surface to Air Missile radar installation sites and re-supply depots, as well as Soviet/foreign merchant ships in North Vietnam's harbors. So for a period of time those areas were "off limits" for bombing. In addition, this strategy allowed the Communist gunners on the ground to predict our flight paths. They could set up their defense systems, knowing where we wouldn't go, and have a pretty good idea in which direction we would fly in for the attack. It was similar to duck hunting; the hunters (duck shooters) were shooting the ducks as they flew over the decoys. The anti-aircraft crews were shooting at jets as they flew over the targets.
The second reason, and with all criticism aside; with every modern cannon, machingun, and missile being fired at our aircraft all at one time, jet aircraft are going to be shot down! Nearly 2,000 were lost, many with the pilots and crewmen that went with them. Those losses, combined with the restrictions, contributed to our ineffectiveness.
The gloves came off during operation Linebacker II however, in 1972. History sometimes refers to this operation as the "Christmas Bombing." We lost 15 B-52's in one week! But the bombing WAS effective that time!
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoPossibly because North Vietnam ultimately won the war, historians believe that Search/Destroy operations failed. S & D ops were tactics (methods) used to obtain "body counts." The strategy (plan) was attrition (a war of attrition), S & D ops were used to execute that strategy. Simply because the enemy won the war does not mean that S & D failed.
Search & Destroy was extremely effective. So effective that GIs literally had to go looking for NVA to kill. GIs had to hunt for them. With some exceptions like I Corps where the NVA hunted GIs. The balance of South Vietnam (RVN) II, III, and IV Corps were fairly well rid of communist forces, due largely to Tet not S & D ops however. But when an army has to "hunt" for enemy contact, then something was done right...and the early days of searching & destroying was the tactic that was effective.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoAsk for the individual's credentials who says the search & destroy tactics were not successful. Another words consider the source.
Our WWII veteran US commanders in South Vietnam realized that it would be more effective and easier to evacuate all friendlies thus creating "free fire zones" and kill anyone who was found in those "free fire zones" that was not identified as a friendly.
The tactics were excellent.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoThe whole war failed Vietnam, because it was misunderstood. It was actually a war of national re-unification and not a war of global communist domination.
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When did the US join the war in Vietnam?
The US joined the Vietnam War in 1960 or 1955because there was a civil war between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, and the US was good friends with South Vietnam's goverment, so they helped out.
How did the us use air power in Vietnam?
Strategic bombing was conducted over North Vietnam; tactical bombing was conducted in South Vietnam; Secret bombings were conducted in Laos and Cambodia.
What was the US-directed program of covert raids on North Vietnam called?
Operation Rolling Thunder
In the Red Scare what were the raids called?
During the First Red Scare the raids on suspected political radicals were known as Palmer Raids, named after US Attorney General Alexander Palmer, who ordered the US Justice Department to conduct the raids.
What were the dates of the Vietnam air war?
1955 when US Advisers arrive in Vietnam. 1961 when US Special Forces (Green Beret) arrive in Vietnam. 1965 when US Regulars arrive, and the air campaign against North Vietnam commences (Operation Rolling Thunder). The invasion (incursion) of Cambodia in 1970, under Nixon's orders. The invasion of Laos in 1971, under Nixon's orders. The "maximum effort" aerial bombing of North Vietnam in December 1972, dubbed the "Christmas Bombings", President Nixon's "Linebacker II", (He loved football).
What president ordered bombing raids on north Vietnam.?
LBJ started the bombing by attacking North Vietnamese Navy torpedo boat bases in North Vietnam; in retaliation for their attacks on US Navy destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf in August 1964.
Who conducted bombing raids on North Vietnam?
The USAF & USN bombed N. Vietnam. The USMC flew combat missions in support of Marines in SOUTH Vietnam. US Warships stationed off the coast of NORTH Vietnam were operating in "Yankee Station." US Warships stationed off the coast of SOUTH Vietnam were designated "Dixie Station."
What was the result of the US bombing Vietnam?
Death
When did the US join the war in Vietnam?
The US joined the Vietnam War in 1960 or 1955because there was a civil war between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, and the US was good friends with South Vietnam's goverment, so they helped out.
During the war the US bombed North Vietnam and what other country?
Strategic bombing of the North; Tactical bombing in South Vietnam. Covert bombing in Laos/Cambodia.
How did the us use air power in Vietnam?
Strategic bombing was conducted over North Vietnam; tactical bombing was conducted in South Vietnam; Secret bombings were conducted in Laos and Cambodia.
Who ordered boaming raids in Vietnam?
Commander in Chief: President of the US (LBJ).
What was the US-directed program of covert raids on North Vietnam called?
Operation Rolling Thunder
Who was the main enemy of north Vietnam?
The US. Only the US was bombing North Vietnam. Although American and Australian men 'o war were bombarding North Vietnam along their coastline.
Is it true the US became involved in the conflict in Vietnam after the surprise of bombing of a US naval base?
screw tch
What did secrecy establish in the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War?
The longer secrecy dominated US actions in the war in Vietnam, the more leeway it seemed to give to the Nixon administration that it had the right to lie about the war. The details of the secret bombing of Cambodia was as follows:1. In the years of 1969-1970, 3600 B-52 bombing raids were conducted over Cambodia;2. The Defense Department falsified the air attack reports it furnished to the Senate Armed Services Committee; and3. The Nixon administration ended the campaign because it believed the bombing was a failure.
How did the Tonkin Gulf resolution lead to US involvement in Vietnam?
The US commenced bombing North Vietnam, and deployed tanks, artillery, and infantry divisions for combat in RVN (Republic of South Vietnam). Vietnam was a guerrilla war NO MORE.
