B-52 and the Vietnam War
- Thread starter mongolo_k
- Start date
Dozens of them were shot down, especially late in the war during the bombing of Hanoi, most by SAM-2s. During "Operation Linebacker" in 1972, 15 B-52s were shot-down over North Vietnam between Dec. 18 and Dec. 29; all of them by SAM-2s. The N. Vietnamese claim they shot down 34.i WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY B-52 was shot down in the Vietnam War? If yes, Were they shot down by anti-aircraft, SAMs, or a by a MiG?
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whitehorse7
New Member
The NVA soldiers and VietCongs were most scared to :
1. B-52,
2. 81st Airborne Ranger Group and
3. Airborne soldiers (Angels in Red Hats).
I had got this very interesting information from my uncle after ending the Vietnam War (30.04.1975).
My uncle was then a colonel commanding an Air Defence Unit of NVA stationed along the well-known Ho Chi Minh Trail (the strategic infiltration route 559 of NVA into the Republic of Vietnam).
And I was then a very young lietenant commanding a platoon paratroopers of the ARVN 8th Airborne Battalion / 1st Airborne Group !
1. B-52,
2. 81st Airborne Ranger Group and
3. Airborne soldiers (Angels in Red Hats).
I had got this very interesting information from my uncle after ending the Vietnam War (30.04.1975).
My uncle was then a colonel commanding an Air Defence Unit of NVA stationed along the well-known Ho Chi Minh Trail (the strategic infiltration route 559 of NVA into the Republic of Vietnam).
And I was then a very young lietenant commanding a platoon paratroopers of the ARVN 8th Airborne Battalion / 1st Airborne Group !
When I was with the 82nd ABN in Desert Storm, we were tasked with securing an Iraqi Airbase. The night before, B-52s dropped 2,000 500-lb. bombs on the Iraqis. Sure made our job a lot easier. Thanks, guys. Better than fireworks on the 4th of July. Strike Hold!!The NVA soldiers and VietCongs were most scared to :
1. B-52,
2. 81st Airborne Ranger Group and
3. Airborne soldiers (Angels in Red Hats).
I had got this very interesting information from my uncle after ending the Vietnam War (30.04.1975).
My uncle was then a colonel commanding an Air Defence Unit of NVA stationed along the well-known Ho Chi Minh Trail (the strategic infiltration route 559 of NVA into the Republic of Vietnam).
And I was then a very young lietenant commanding a platoon paratroopers of the ARVN 8th Airborne Battalion / 1st Airborne Group !
whitehorse7
New Member
B-52s had played a very important role in air support during the Vietnam War. In the operation LAM SON 719 in Laos (1971), B-52 « Arc Light » sorties were not only used to destroy NVA´s rear bases and troop concentrations, to clear landing zones. In many emergency situations they were also used to provide CAS for ARVN forces.
Total B-52 strikes in support of LAM SON 719 amounted to 622 (!) sorties : 421 for the benefit of ARVN forces and 201 in support of US-forces.
I still remembered my personally unbelievable experiences in the last phase of this operation. On the way out of Laos, ARVN airborne units and 1. armored brigade had to fight fiercely against 3 NVA´s divisions ! We called Air for help, then a lot of B-52« Arc Light » sorties were approved to be used as TAC for Close Air Support B-52s had played a very important role in air support during the Vietnam War. In the operation LAM SON 719 in Laos (1971), B-52 « Arc Light » sorties were not only used to destroy NVA´s rear bases and troop concentrations, to clear landing zones. In many emergency situations they were also used to provide CAS for ARVN forces.
to relieve the NVA´s pressure on our lines ! The BUFFs came in time with an unbelievable power ! Bombs after bombs were fallen down only 300 m right and left from our lines with a terrible destructive !!! What a fearsome action !!! We could back to Khe Sanh in Vietnam with an acceptable loss. And I live !!!!
Many thanks (very late) from me to the BUFF´s crews !
Total B-52 strikes in support of LAM SON 719 amounted to 622 (!) sorties : 421 for the benefit of ARVN forces and 201 in support of US-forces.
I still remembered my personally unbelievable experiences in the last phase of this operation. On the way out of Laos, ARVN airborne units and 1. armored brigade had to fight fiercely against 3 NVA´s divisions ! We called Air for help, then a lot of B-52« Arc Light » sorties were approved to be used as TAC for Close Air Support B-52s had played a very important role in air support during the Vietnam War. In the operation LAM SON 719 in Laos (1971), B-52 « Arc Light » sorties were not only used to destroy NVA´s rear bases and troop concentrations, to clear landing zones. In many emergency situations they were also used to provide CAS for ARVN forces.
to relieve the NVA´s pressure on our lines ! The BUFFs came in time with an unbelievable power ! Bombs after bombs were fallen down only 300 m right and left from our lines with a terrible destructive !!! What a fearsome action !!! We could back to Khe Sanh in Vietnam with an acceptable loss. And I live !!!!
Many thanks (very late) from me to the BUFF´s crews !