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Why is Operation Rolling Thunder a failure?
The Air Force simply could not effectively interdict North Vietnam’s supply routes to the South. In Clausewitzian terms, Rolling Thunder failed because it was not an effective political instrument—it did not achieve its stated goal of compelling the North Vietnamese to do our will.
What was the outcome of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965?
From 1965 to 1968, about 643,000 tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam, and a total of nearly 900 U.S. aircraft were lost during Operation Rolling Thunder. The operation continued, with occasional suspensions, until President Johnson, under increasing domestic political pressure, halted it on October 31, 1968.
How much did Operation Rolling Thunder cost?
Operation Rolling Thunder is considered by many Americans to have been a failed mission. It cost the United States nearly 900 million in aircraft damage while only costing North Vietnam 300 million dollars worth of damage.
What did Rolling Thunder target?
U.S. military aircraft attacked targets throughout North Vietnam from March 1965 to October 1968. This massive bombardment was intended to put military pressure on North Vietnam’s communist leaders and reduce their capacity to wage war against the U.S.-supported government of South Vietnam.
Why was Operation Rolling Thunder was a failure?
Failure of Operation Rolling Thunder The bombing campaign failed because the bombs often fell into empty jungle, missing their targets. The North Vietnamese guerrillas knew the jungle and made use…
What were the results of Operation Rolling Thunder?
Operation Rolling Thunder’s strategic objectives were never met. The operation consumed numerous resources. It lasted much longer than expected and resulted not only in the loss of military significance for the United States but also damaged the reputation of its leaders as the protectors of democratic values and freedoms in general.
What were the effects of Operation Rolling Thunder?
The Impact of Operation Rolling Thunder. As the bombing campaign approached its final stage during 1967 and 1968, its chief purpose had slowly transformed from psychological and strategic persuasion to the interdiction of supply and material flows in North Vietnam and the destruction of military infrastructure.
Who launched Operation Rolling Thunder?
Three months after being elected president, Lyndon B. Johnson launched Operation Rolling Thunder. Unlike the single bombing raid in August 1964, this time the raids were to take place on a regular basis.