“Dien Bien Phu in the air” - Major facts and figures

From 18^th to 30^th of December 1972, the U.S. deployed 193 B-52 strategic bombers, about 50 F-111 aircraft, 1,077 fighter aircraft, 6 aircraft carriers and 50 KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft to launch a large-scale aerial bombing campaign (also known as Operation Linebacker II) against Ha Noi, Hai Phong and several targets in North Viet Nam. Only in 12 days, the U.S. mobilized 663 sorties by B-52 and 3,920 sorties by tactical aircraft and dropped over 100,000 tons of bombs on the targets set by them. In Ha Noi alone, the U.S. launched 441 sorties by B-52 and many other tactical aircraft to blitz this city. That was an unequal war in terms of force and means. However, with the spirit of “daring to fight, determined to fight, determined to win”, after 12 days of fighting bravely, our military and people shot down 81 aircraft of various types, including 34 B-52 aircraft, 5 F-111 aircraft, and 42 other tactical aircraft. That victory completely knocked down the symbol of “US Air Force” and foiled US President Nixon’s “Vietnamization” strategy and his crazy ambition to bomb North Viet Nam “back to the Stone Age”. At the same time, it marked a turning point in the complexion of the resistance war against the U.S., for national salvation, compelling the US administration to sign the Paris Peace Accords of January 27^th 1973, ending the war, restoring peace in Viet Nam, creating new advantage and strength to liberate the South and reunify the country.

Among the determinants to that great victory, the building of our troops and people’s political will against the fierceness of the war is of decisive significance, which is manifested in the following points.

First, we had made a correct strategic forecast, thereby being prepared in all aspects. On comprehending the objective rules, with his broad vision and clear-sighted, unique political, military thought, President Ho Chi Minh predicted: “Sooner or later the U.S. will use B-52 to attack Ha Noi; only after being beaten, it will accept defeat. Therefore, we must be prepared for all the situations as soon as possible. Remember that prior to its defeat in North Korea, the U.S. had destroyed Pyongyang. In Viet Nam, it will be doomed to failure but after being defeated in the sky of Ha Noi”. Grounded in that strategic forecast, the Central Military Commission ordered the Air and Air Defense Service (Service for short) and military regions to “get prepared for the scenario in which the U.S. dispatches its air force, including its strategic air force, back to the North”. Our Party and beloved Uncle Ho’s forecasts and directions acted as a proclamation to our people and military: “we would rather sacrifice everything than lose our independence and be enslaved”.

Second, we aroused and promoted patriotic tradition of the nation and the strength of a just war. By diverse forms, political education contributed to arousing the national self-esteem and our ancestors’ tradition of fighting against foreign invaders, and upholding troops’ will and absolute loyalty in the Party’s goal as well as their faith in certain victory of our nation’s just war. Thanks to this work, soldiers’ political will of “calmness, confidence, no panic about the enemy’s modern weapons and equipment” was made up, while the strength of our people’s just war and the unjustness of the war launched by the US Imperialists were clarified.

Third, party executive committees and commanders at all levels focused their leadership on enhancing their troops’ combat strength. Facing the enemy equipped with modern weapons, military party organizations, ranging from the Central Military Commission to party cells, brought into play human factor in every battle, while building up troops’ fighting will, creativity, and capabilities of operation and mastery over the available weapons and equipment to readily deal with difficulties and defeat the enemy. Simultaneously, party executive committees and commanders organized “Dien Hong Conferences” to democratically discuss, study and seek for the way to engage B-52 as well as adjust force, supplement military hardware, build strong air defence posture and rectify the work of combat support.

Nowadays, the task of protecting national airspace is witnessing both intertwined advantages and challenges. In the event of a war, that will be a very fierce hi-tech one. The Service has been invested to move forward to modernity. Besides equipping with weapons and hardware to meet the mission requirements, the building of troops’ political and spiritual will is of utmost importance./.

Source: National Defense Journal