Operation Rolling Thunder: How US Ravaged Vietnam in Longest Bombing Crusade Since WWII

The first air raid on the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) as part of Operation Rolling Thunder took place on March 2, 1965. During the operation, the USAF carried out massive bombings against North Vietnam: they targeted railroads, highways, and civilian industrial objects. The offensive included the destruction of crops, as American forces dropped chemical substances on them.

Have a look at Sputnik's gallery, showing the deadly operation and its gruesome outcome:

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"Flying under radar control with a B-66 Destroyer, Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots bomb a military target through low clouds over the southern panhandle of North Vietnam. June 14, 1966."

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A US Navy Douglas A-3B Skywarrior (BuNo 147642) from Heavy Attack Squadron VAH-8 Fireballers dropping a bomb over North Vietnam. VAH-8 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) for a deployment to Vietnam from March 6 to November 23, 1965.

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20 mm cannon fire from a U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk from Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55) "Warhorses" splashes in a North Vietnamese river during strikes on barges on July 20, 1966. VA-55 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from December 10, 1965 to August 25, 1966.

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A North Vietnamese supply train burns May 4, 1965, after being bombed by US Navy aircraft from USS Midway (CVA-41). The planes struck about 30 miles north of Vihn on the North Vietnamese coastal railway. Photograph released May 17, 1965.

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Picture taken on December 22, 1966 of the left wing of the trade union building after a US raid on the South part of Hanoi during the Vietnamese war.

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A US Navy McDonnell F-4B-26-MC Phantom II (BuNo 153006) from Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154) "Black Knights" drops Mark 82 227 kg bombs on an artillery site north of the demilitarized zone in Vietnam, in support of the U.S. 3rd Marine Division, February 1968. The pilot was Lieutenant Junior Grade J. Quaintance, RIO was Lieutenant Junior Grade John H. Kelley. VF-154 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a deployment to Vietnam from November 4, 1967 to May 25, 1968.

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The Haiphong highway bridge is attacked by planes from USS Intrepid (CV-11). Note extensively damaged structures nearby. October 16, 1967.

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Picture taken in April 1965 of the Shadow of RF-101 reconnaissance US aircraft flying over My Duo bridge, destroyed by American shellings, in North Vietnam, during the Vietnamese war.

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Picture taken on March 18, 1968 showing inhabitants of Phat Diem among the ruins of the convent destroyed by the American bombing on March 11.

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USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) planes raid the Haiphong cement plant and vicinity, 27 April 1967.

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A U.S. Air Force Republic F-105D Thunderchief shot down over North Vietnam by Soviet S-75 Dvina surface-to-air missile.

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Archive of Eugene Bohun, Soviet MAAG Vietnam / A U.S. Air Force Republic F-105D Thunderchief shot down over North Vietnam by Soviet S-75 Dvina surface-to-air missile.

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Picture released on December 21, 1966 of the destructed houses of Thiep streets after a US raid by rockets in Hanoi during the Vietnamese war.