Airpower Airpower Thru the Thru the Cold WarCold War

Master OverviewMaster Overview

Vietnam I – A Chronology Vietnam – Uses of Airpower Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

Vietnam I OverviewVietnam I Overview

Background General Causes US Involvement – 1955-1964 Gulf of Tonkin – 1964 Build up – 1964-1968 Tet – 1968 Vietnamization The fall of South Vietnam

The War in Southeast Asia The War in Southeast Asia BackgroundBackground

America’s most unpopular war

America’s longest and most expensive war

The best technical war money could buy

America hardly ever lost a tactical battle

A war America did not win

The War in Southeast AsiaThe War in Southeast AsiaBackgroundBackground

Although referred to as the “Vietnam” War, US Aircraft flew from bases in Thailand, Laos, Guam, and South Vietnam

Troops from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Philippines fought with the U.S. and South Vietnam

China and the Soviet Union heavily supported North Vietnam

The War in Southeast Asia The War in Southeast Asia General CausesGeneral Causes

A regional power vacuum existed in Southeast after WW II

South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia were politically unstable

North Vietnam wanted to reunite North and South Vietnam under communist rule

America wanted to prevent the spread of communism, by force if necessary

The French Era – The French Era – 1940 to 19541940 to 1954

Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were originally a French colony -- 19th century

Japanese occupied SEA at start of WW II Opposed by guerrilla force led by Ho Chi Minh U.S. backed Ho Chi Minh’s efforts to oust Japan

At end of WW II, Ho declared Vietnam an independent nation

Allies ignored Ho and divided Vietnam at the 16th parallel – Potsdam Conference

The War in Southeast AsiaThe War in Southeast AsiaThe French Era (Cont)The French Era (Cont)

French returned to fill power vacuum after WW II, U.S. supports French, but not happy

Fighting between France and Vietminh began in 1946

France was defeated at Dien Bien Phu by General Vo Nguyen Giap -- 7 May 1954 Requested U.S. air support -- nuclear if necessary

-- didn’t get it

France withdrew from Indochina--for good

Geneva Accords - July 1954Geneva Accords - July 1954

Officially ended France-Vietminh struggle U.S. and South Vietnam didn’t sign Accords Divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel

Separated by a demilitarized zone (DMZ)

Partition was to be temporary Elections were planned in 1956 -- didn’t occur President Diem (South Vietnam) feared Ho Chi

Minh of North Vietnam would win

Southeast Asia Treaty Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)Organization (SEATO)

Initiated by the U.S. in Sept 1954 to prevent spread of communism -- “Domino Theory”

Member nations were: U.S., Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand Philippines, and Pakistan

Didn’t require participants to support each other with military force

Politically justified U.S. actions in S Vietnam

U.S. Involvement - U.S. Involvement - 1955 to 19641955 to 1964

U.S. reluctantly moved to fill power vacuum April 1955--US agrees to advise S Vietnam Green Berets arrive Oct 1959 -- to train only

1959 -- North Vietnam increased actions to unify North and South US increased action to prevent a North victory

Aug 64 -- N Vietnamese gunboats attack 2 U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Aug ‘64Aug ‘64

Passed by Congress 5 Aug 1964 Radically altered the War in Southeast Asia Empowered President Johnson to: “To take all necessary steps to repel armed attack against

US forces” “To take all necessary steps, including force, to assist S

Vietnam and any member of SEATO”

Committed US to fight for S Vietnam

Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on Aug. 27, 1908. He was selected by John F. Kennedy as the Vice Presidential running mate, together they won the 1960 Presidential election. He became the 36th president of the United States on the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November 1963. A staunch believer in the use of military force to help achieve the country's foreign policy objectives. Escalated American involvement in the Vietnam War.

US Build-up -- 1965 to 1968US Build-up -- 1965 to 1968

March 1965 -- US Marines and Army arrive “Rolling Thunder”bombing campaign begun

By 1969, US troop strength reached 543,000 (500,000 supported the war from other Asian countries and Pacific bases)

US became heavily involved in fighting a guerrilla war-- they were not prepared

30 Jan ‘68 -- North launched Tet Offensive

Tet Offensive of 1968Tet Offensive of 1968The Beginning of the EndThe Beginning of the End

North attacked 12 U.S. bases and Embassy Objective -- Shatter the South’s army and

cause a civilian revolt -- Neither happened A tactical failure – but, a huge strategic

success American confidence in war

effort plummeted Opposition to the war

increased significantly After Tet, U.S. objective was

to get out, quickly and gracefully

VietnamizationVietnamizationThe U.S. WithdrawalThe U.S. Withdrawal

Nov 1968 - Nixon elected on promise to end the war in Southeast Asia

Nixon’s Vietnamization program was to return the war to the South Vietnamese U.S. to provide advice, training and material Returned U.S. and S Vietnam to pre-1965 roles

U.S. forces began withdrawing in June 1969 U.S. morale dropped / winning no longer a goal

Events Surrounding the Events Surrounding the Paris Peace TalksParis Peace Talks

Talks began in 68 but achieved nothing North Vietnam knew time was on their side

US units continued to withdraw By 1972, 200,000 US troops had left Vietnam

Mar 72-- North launched its “Easter Offensive” against South Vietnam Attack repelled by

US air power (Linebacker I)

Events Surrounding the Events Surrounding the Paris Peace Talks (Cont)Paris Peace Talks (Cont)

Talks resumed following the Easter Offensive -- again little movement occurred Late 1972, Nixon ordered massive bombing of

North Vietnam (Linebacker II) Linebacker II forced the North to negotiate in

earnest Peace Accords signed

27 Jan 1973 Called for US to withdraw

all units by Mar 73

The Fall of South VietnamThe Fall of South Vietnam

Between 1973 and 1975, North continued to build strength in violation of Peace Accords

Nixon preoccupied with the Watergate scandal

US Congress tired of Vietnam and refused to help Feb 75, North launched the Ho Chi Minh campaign

against the South South easily defeated without US air support

Laos and Cambodia fell quickly thereafter

VIDEOVIDEOVietnamVietnam

Vietnam I OverviewVietnam I Overview

Background General Causes US Involvement – 1955-1964 Gulf of Tonkin – 1964 Build up – 1964-1968 Tet – 1968 Vietnamization The fall of South Vietnam

Master OverviewMaster Overview

Vietnam I – A Chronology Vietnam – Uses of Airpower Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

Airpower Airpower Thru the Thru the Cold WarCold War