50 years ago, On December 18, 1972, in the final phase of the resistance fight against the US for national salvation, our army and people, led by the Party, entered the 12-day combat, defeating strategic bombing raids by US B-52 aircraft on Hanoi – Hai Phong.
The Tien Bo Printing Factory Self-Defense Team practiced combat readiness (1972). Photo: VNA
After the defeats in year 1968, Road 9 – Southern Laos in 1971; especially after the 1972 strategic offensive of the Vietnamese army and people on the southern battlefield, the US strategy of “Vietnamization of war” was in risk of full bankruptcy. To preserve the situation, the US imperialists resolved to unleash a second destructive war in the North, culminating in a strategic air raid to destroy the Hanoi capital, Hai Phong, and many other vital targets in the North.
To carry out the raid, the US imperialists deployed the greatest force since World War II, including hundreds of B-52 strategic bombers, thousands of tactical aircraft, and a slew of aircraft carriers and new battleships. The B-52 bomber, in particular, is the primary vehicle employed by the US military to carry out the raid.
The B-52 flying fortress is a highly recent weapon with significant destructive power in the US military strength. It is known as the United States Air Force’s pride. As a result, American B-52 bombers are frequently utilized in crucial battles and campaigns, generating turning moments in the war. One of these was the December 1972 strategic air raid on Hanoi-Hai Phong.
Aware of the hazards of B-52s, since 1962, when the US imperialists had not directly intervened with B-52s in the South, President Ho Chi Minh had counseled “to attentively and often interest in this weapon.” Uncle Ho assigned the Air Defense – Air Force to research and deal with B-52s in 1965, when the US brought them into the Vietnam war, continuously committing crimes against our compatriots “sooner or later the US imperialists will deploy B-52s out to attack Hanoi… The US will undoubtedly lose in Vietnam, but only after losing in the skies above Hanoi.”
Soldiers of the 3rd company of X anti-aircraft artillery batteries defending the capital were clever and brave, opened fire in time and accurately shot down the American aircraft. Photo: VNA document
Carrying out the mission entrusted by Uncle Ho, from the beginning of 1968, the Air Defense – Air Force Command began to devise a plan to counter the US imperialist B-52 aircraft. And prepare a strong force to participate in the battle, including: 6 anti-aircraft missile regiments; 3 fighter aviation regiments; 4 regiments and 8 anti-aircraft artillery battalions; 356 artillery units, anti-aircraft machine guns, a vast network of radars, and other service troops.
On December 18, 1972, soon after US President Nixon began a strategic air raid with a B-52 aircraft, entitled Linebacker II on Hanoi and Hai Phong, our radar identified B-52 aircraft, of the enemy flew into the northern airspace.
Over 80,000 tons of bombs and bombs demolished and destroyed by US imperialists were dropped on Hanoi, Hai Phong, and a number of cities and towns in the North in 12 days and nights. The US employed 441 turns of B-52s and thousands of tactical aircraft, dropping more than 10,000 tons of bombs on Hanoi, destroying many homes and towns. The US government believes that strategic weapons such as the “flying super fortress” B-52 can force us to sign the Paris Agreement on terms advantageous to the US.
On the contrary, before the extremely barbaric attack of the enemy, our army and people under the leadership of the Party fought bravely. Right from the first battle, our troops shot down the B-52 “super-fortress” on the spot, opening the way for the resounding victories that followed.
On the contrary, before the highly savage attack of the enemy, our army and people under the leadership of the Party battled heroically. Our men shot down the B-52 “super-fortress” on the first fight, paving the path for the subsequent resounding successes.
Because of the tremendous loss of the US imperialists and the thunderous victory of Vietnam, this victory was dubbed the “Dien Bien Phu in the air” by the world.
The victory of our army and people in the strategic air raid by the US imperialist B-52 aircraft on Hanoi and Hai Phong in December 1972 has great historical significance. Failing over Hanoi, the US imperialists had to declare an end to the strategic air raid by B-52s on Hanoi and Hai Phong, to stop bombing from the 20th parallel upwards and on January 27, 1973. signed the Paris Agreement ending the war in Vietnam; opening an opportunity for us to completely liberate the South and reunify the country.
The first B-52 aircraft was shot down by Battalion 59, Missile Regiment 261 in Chuom field, Phu Lo commune, Dong Anh district (Hanoi) at 20:13 on December 18, 1972. Photo: VNA document
The victory “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air” is a great epic in the twentieth century, forever going down in the history of nation building and defending our nation as “Chi Lang”, “Ham Tu”, “Dong Da”, becoming a symbol of the will, intelligence and bravery of Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh era, is the victory of the people’s war line, the people’s air defense posture, the victory of the political and spiritual strength of the entire Vietnamese nation; is the will and determination to dare to fight, to know how to fight and to defeat the invading American aggressor.
Over the past 5 decades, the “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air” campaign has always been a shining symbol in the history of the Vietnamese nation’s struggle to defend the country in modern times. Time has passed, but this victory is still valid, and at the same time, it leaves profound lessons on promoting the strength of the entire Party, people and army in the cause of national construction and defense us today and future.
Minh Đạt (Summarize)