Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was a name given America's sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Operation Rolling Thunder officially started on February 24, 1965, even though the first attack did not occur until March 2. This happened when one hundred US and VNAF attacked a base at Xom Bang. The bombing campaign was only supposed to last for eight weeks, but instead lasted until October, 1968. Right from the start, the U.S. Air Force was restricted as to what it could bomb. While the U.S. military wanted a bombing campaign that had clear military results. The Operation Rolling Thunder failed to undermine the government of Ho Chi Minh in the first few weeks which led to them changing their strategy. One result because of the campaign was that Vietcong Forces attacked the U.S. Air Bases in Vietnam. The bases were only being defended by 23,00 men and General Westmoreland knew that would not work. He claimed that unless Washington received more troops. the Vietcong were going to overrun these air bases. President Johnson then ordered 3,500 marines to be sent to South Vietnam. During the many months that Operation Rollin Thunder operated, 643,000 tons of bombs were dropped and nearly 900 US aircraft were lost. The Operation Rolling Thunder was huge and it estimated that the damage done to North Vietnam by the bombings was $300 million.