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A success in that US airpower (Air Force, Navy, and Marine) were able to test their aircraft (F100, F101, F102, F104, F105, F4, F8, A1, A4, A6, A7, U2, SR71, B57, B52, etc.), tactics, and strategy. Experience that would pay off during next bombing campaigns. A failure in that the war continued on.
Rolling Thunder failed in that it didn't break the will of the North Vietnamese. It succeeded in that it taught US air units how to fight modern jet warfare (Top Gun and Red Flag are products of the air war over North Vietnam).
"Most" historians, retired military men, and television (Military Channel/History Channel) will tell you that Rolling Thunder failed because it didn't hit the enemy hard in the right places. These same people will state that Linebacker II (aka the Christmas Bombings) succeeded because it did hit the correct targets and hit them hard!
"Most" historians, retired military men, and television will CONVENIENTLY leave out the part about Hanoi KNOWING that the US was re-deploying (leaving) from South Vietnam anyway; and that the objective of North Vietnam had always been, and was during Linebacker II, for the US to be gone from Vietnam. It is true that the North went back to the peace tables after Linebacker II, but it's also true that Linebacker II coincided with the US re-deployment from South Vietnam.
Another words, had Rolling Thunder been conducted as Linebacker II was conducted, and the US was staying in South Vietnam; then the North would simply have escalated their defenses against the new threat...just like they've always done (thru-out the whole war).
Bottom line: It all goes back to the original mission; winning the war. Invading North Vietnam or deploying atomic weapons. Neither of which were options (contingency plans existed for both however).
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What was the first Operation rolling thunder?
1965 is when the Air Campaign "Rolling Thunder" began against North Vietnam.
Impact of operation rolling thunder?
With a failure of bombing in the north, the American were forced to send in ground troops. Operation rolling thunder failed as the VC ( vietcong ) where well hiden in the tree canopies and so bombing was pointless.
What was Operation Rolling Thunder?
a sustained aerial bombing campaign agaisnt the vietcong {nova}
What was the US-directed program of covert raids on North Vietnam called?
Operation Rolling Thunder
What was the objective of the US in Operation Rolling Thunder?
The objective of Operation: Rolling Thunder was originally an 8 week bombing campaign that targeted industrial, logistical and military complexes so as to prevent support from North Vietnam to the Viet Cong in the South, it lasted for 3 years approximately and was widen to some civilian targets too, it also targeted the Ho Chi Minh Trail, with little success.
When did Operation Rolling Thunder end?
Operation Rolling Thunder began in February, 1965 and did not end until October, 1968.
How long was operation rolling thunder?
Operation Rolling Thunder began in 1965 on the 24th of February and ended on the 31st of October 1968.
Where was operation rolling thunder held?
Rolling Thunder was the air war against NORTH Vietnam.
What was the relevance of Operation Rolling Thunder?
Rolling Thunder was the FIRST "air campaign" committed against NORTH Vietnam.
What was the first Operation rolling thunder?
1965 is when the Air Campaign "Rolling Thunder" began against North Vietnam.
How many refugees were there after operation rolling thunder?
3,000,000 were left as refugees
Do some people refer B52 as rolling thunder?
'Rolling Thunder' was an operation during Vietnam, in which a fleet of B-52's bombed an area.
Impact of operation rolling thunder?
With a failure of bombing in the north, the American were forced to send in ground troops. Operation rolling thunder failed as the VC ( vietcong ) where well hiden in the tree canopies and so bombing was pointless.
What do operation rolling thunder do in north Vietnam?
It sustained bombing in north Vietnam
What did operation rolling thunder do in north Vietnam?
It sustained bombing in north Vietnam
What are the release dates for War Stories with Oliver North - 2001 Operation Rolling Thunder - 5.68?
War Stories with Oliver North - 2001 Operation Rolling Thunder - 5.68 was released on: USA: 25 September 2005
Why was operation rolling thunder considered a failure?
Like most things in life; it was neither a failure nor a success; it was a bit of both. 1. Considered a failure, because it did not discourage the North from continuing it's war against the South. 2. Considered a success, because it taught US airmen how to fight both AAA/SAM defenses and NVAF MiG jet aircraft. Lessons that would bring success for future campaigns.
