Operation Rolling Thunder

What was Operation Rolling Thunder?

Operation Rolling Thunder was a mass bombing campaign on North Vietnam by the USA.

When did Operation Rolling Thunder happen?

Operation Rolling Thunder began in February 1965. Although it was only supposed to go on for eight weeks, it lasted three years.

Why did Operation Rolling Thunder happen?

Operation Rolling Thunder happened for 3 main reasons:

• ❖ US bases in South Vietnam had suffered a number of attacks from the Vietcong, who were growing stronger thanks to supplies and support from North Vietnam.
• ❖ The trigger for the operation was the Vietcong attack on the US base, Camp Holloway, which killed 8 American soldiers and injured hundreds more.
• ❖ A bombing campaign was chosen because the US thought it would cost fewer lives than ground warfare.

What was the aim of Operation Rolling Thunder?

The bombing campaign targeted government buildings, with the objective of breaking the North Vietnamese government's morale and prompting an end to its support for the Vietcong.

How did Operation Rolling Thunder change over time?

To begin with, cities such as Hanoi and Haiphong were not attacked as Johnson did not want to provoke the USSR and China by bombing civilians. However, this policy changed and the Americans switched to saturation, or carpet, bombing.

How did the USSR respond to Operation Rolling Thunder?

Operation Rolling Thunder led to a change of Soviet policy over Vietnam. After witnessing the damage caused by US bombs, it started to supply North Vietnam with anti-aircraft missiles with which it could fight back.

What was the significance of Operation Rolling Thunder?

Operation Rolling Thunder was significant as it was a huge escalation of US involvement in Vietnam.