For educational purposes<br /><br />Not since World War II had bombers been employed in an operation of this scope. <br /><br />All previous air campaigns, including the initial Linebacker carried out in May-October 1972, were "limited," designed to interdict the overland routes by which the North resupplied its regular units and Viet Cong forces operating in South Vietnam. <br /><br />Linebacker II was to be different. The intent was to destroy all major target complexes in the Hanoi and Haiphong areas, using an all-weather force of heavy B-52s and smaller F-111 attack aircraft by night while tactical aircraft would continue to press daytime attacks. <br /><br />The campaign unfolded over the 12-day period of December 18-29, 1972. After 11 days of bombing, Hanoi was ready for peace negotiations.
