Operation Linebacker I 1972: The First High-tech Air War
0
0
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Author Description
Fully illustrated with stunning full color artwork, this is the fascinating story of arguably the world's first "modern" air campaign. Following the failure of Rolling Thunder US aircraft were now armed with new technologies such as new laser-guided bombs and electronic warfare capabilities. The Air Force now had the fearsome AC-130 gunship and a new generation of Wild Weasel anti-radar aircraft, and the US Navy aviators now had much better dogfighting training thanks to the new TOPGUN fighter school. As the Paris peace talks floundered in early 1972 and the US began to disengage from Vietnam, it was clear that the North Vietnamese were conducting a major build up for an attack into South Vietnam. Screened by bad weather and heavy air defenses in the north, the attack advanced quickly but the US quickly pushed back with an air campaign named Operation Linebacker. Their objective: defeat the invasion, preserve the government of South Vietnam, and bring the North Vietnamese back to the Paris peace talks.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
Operation Linebacker I aimed to halt the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam and force a return to peace talks. The campaign, occurring in 1972 as US involvement waned and peace talks faltered, saw the deployment of new technologies like laser-guided bombs and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. The US Air Force introduced the AC-130 gunship and new Wild Weasel anti-radar aircraft, while the US Navy benefited from enhanced dogfighting training from TOPGUN. This operation was a critical response to a major North Vietnamese build-up and subsequent invasion, screened by adverse weather and formidable air defenses.
THE SCOPE MAP
- The strategic context of Operation Linebacker I, including the failure of Rolling Thunder and the North Vietnamese build-up.
- Details on new technologies employed, such as laser-guided bombs and electronic warfare.
- Introduction of key aircraft like the AC-130 gunship and Wild Weasel anti-radar planes.
- The role of the US Navy and the impact of TOPGUN training.
- The military objectives: defeat the invasion, preserve South Vietnam's government, and compel North Vietnam back to negotiations.
- The operational challenges posed by weather and North Vietnamese air defenses.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This book details Operation Linebacker I, focusing on the technological advancements and strategic objectives of the air campaign. The narrative explores the introduction of new weaponry and aircraft, as well as the training enhancements that contributed to the operation's execution. It frames the conflict as arguably the world's first 'modern' air campaign, highlighting its role in responding to a major invasion and influencing peace negotiations.
Page Count:
96
Publication Date:
2019-01-22
Publisher:
Bloomsbury USA
ISBN-10:
1472827538
ISBN-13:
9781472827531
History
Non-Fiction
Vietnam War
Aviation
Military History
Community Tags
Similar Books
