Linebacker: The Untold Story of the Air Raids over North Vietnam

by Karl J. Eschmann

Twelve days that shook the world. The beginning of the end. In late 1972, the Vietnam peace talks were stalled, with the war at perhaps its most crucial point. The United States was searching for a way to strangle North Vietnam’s war-waging capabilities by shutting down its supply pipelines in order to force it back to the negotiating table. The Linebacker II, a massive, intricately coordinated twelve-day assault by over 700 combat aircraft against vital targets around Hanoi and Haiphong, enemy cities heavily guarded by MiGs, SAM missiles, and radar-guided anti-aircraft. Here is an unprecedented look at one of the most critical campaigns of modern air warfare, documented in rich, fascinating detail. It is told in the vividly personal words of the pilots and crews who flew the missions — men who dramatically helped to end the American role in the Vietnam conflict and to bring the POWs home. Praise for Linebacker : 'Military buffs will appreciate this minutely detailed report of the American bombing raids over North Vietnam and the daring helicopter rescues' – Publishers Weekly Karl J Eschmann graduated from Texas A&M University in 1971 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, and a Master’s Degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Logistics Management in 1989. As a Second Lieutenant in 1972-73, he was a flight line maintenance officer responsible for two squadrons of F-4E Phantom IIs during the Linebacker I & II air offensives, as well as the Cambodian and Laotian campaigns. Since then he has had a distinguished air force career. He retired as a Full Colonel in 1998.

Genres: History, Military History

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 1989

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, providing an in-depth look at US Air Force operations during the Libebacker II campaign over North Vietnam in December of 1972. I especially liked this book for the level of detail it provided and its large scope. All elements of the air campaign are considered, from SAC’s B-52 force, which was the focus of the effort, through all the various support groups, both in the air and on the ground, which allowed that effort. I’ve read a number of books about the Linebacker campaigns, and this has, by far, the most extensive coverage. It was especially useful to learn how the earlier Linebacker I efforts greatly influenced both the Americans and the Vietnamese in the December campaign. Also great to read was the detailed story of the tactical cat and mouse game played between the American and Vietnamese forces. Getting past the important (but well trod) story of SAC’s murderous Post Target Turn, the book goes into detail on the evolving use of Vietnamese SAMs, the dynamic changes of both sides in the electromagnetic spectrum, and the trial-and-error of the USAF in figuring out how best to support a massed bombing effort. The critical need for and execution of adaptability and tactical learning is well laid out in these pages. Highly recommended for those wanting to know more about air warfare over Vietnam and how combatants can enact dynamic conflict in an ever-changing environment.

[Glen Chern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant Piece of History

Initially, I struggled through Linebacker, due to the preponderance of technical information which I didn't understand. Once the author, Karl Eschmann, began discussing the Linebacker II campaign, it took on more meaning and a considerable amount of personal perspective as he shared narratives from the flight crew members from the B-52s that were shot down. I was also very impressed with the honesty the author demonstrated in his assessment of the entire Linebacker II campaign. Additionally, the narrative from Capt. Frank Lewis who described his experience as a POW was quite enlightening.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally published at Book of Bogan.

The Vietnam War - for me at least - is one of the least understood wars in modern history, and consequently I am always interested in reading books which look at some of the micro aspects of the world which dominated the lives of so many people in the 60s and 70s. The Operations Linebacker were a vicious air war that was as much a political war, as it was one fought over the skies of North Vietnam.

I found this book was an interesting look from the perspective of the air crews who were flying the missions against the North Vietnamese. While there are some bigger picture moments here, it is primarily concerned with the people who were doing the fighting and the dying on the ground and in the air. It was an engaging read from a personal perspective, that managed to break down a lot of the technical and military jargon, to tell the real stories.

If there is one failing, it is difficult to get an overall picture of the objectives and outcomes from the operations, and maybe that isn't the point here. The author manages to paint an interesting picture of the evolving strategic landscape, as well as the forces on both sides, and while the focus is very much on the American forces, there is a certain amount of grudging respect for the opposition.

There is a lot more I would have liked to have seen from this book, but for what it was, I found it interesting and very readable, which is about all you can really ask from a nonfiction book. This book was originally published in the 1980s, and has been re-released through Endeavour Press.

[Jose wilhelms Ventura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book very interesting. I did not know the subject in depth and reading made it possible to have a good view of events. The fact that the author participated in the events helps a lot and the book has a good balance between the technical part and the human part. In some parts of the book there were references to maps or figures. I couldn't find any. I don't know if this is due to the electronic copy but it is the only negative point of the book. I believe that they could have helped a lot in understanding the effort expended by the American forces. But overall I really liked the book. I recommend.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but typos cost a star

Rather happy I read this book about the end of the Vietnam War. There is a lot to learn in this tome. That is, if you can overlook the typos like calling the EA-6B Prowler an "intruder" and FI11 when he clearly meant F-111. I would still recommend the book!

Towards the end you learn what finally brought the North Vietnamese to the peace table. Plus the exploits of what it took to pull off the B-52 raids & escort them - and what happened to POWs.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final days of the Air war over North Vietnam. Interspersed throughout the narrative with first person narratives by the air crews to add personal experiences to the missions. If particular interest are the mentions of the various assignments of F-111 missions out of Takhli Thailand carried out by the 474th TFW TDY from Nellis AFB.

[BETHANY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information. I was an AF bomber/tanker mechanic for many years in SAC and later ACC working B52Gs and KC135 variants. This was useful in navigating the acronyms easier

I was a B-52G and KC-135A/R mechanic in SAC and later ACC for 20 years. Very interesting book. My background helped me wade through the acronyms and abbreviations that may be a struggle for some readers.

[Joseph Wiedeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The detail to events and equipment used during these events is amazing.

Fascinating detailed history of what our air force can accomplish when called into action. I was amazed to learn what a vast array of sophisticated electronic equipment is involved to conduct these types of missions.

[MR J P SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revealing, if sometimes heavy going.

Read this if you want to know about the bombing campaign that brought the North Vietnamese and the USA to the negotiating table. The reminiscences of the downed B52 pilot at the end of the book really bring home the human side of the conflict. Definitely worth a look if the Vietnam air war is your thing.

[Campbell Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight to the point

Real life stories from B52 crew who bombed North Vietnam, it’s a bit pro US as regards bomb damage assessments and effectiveness of the campaign. However the crew stories are real and to the point. Technical assessments also clear around B52G deficiencies and weakness of early tactics(both sides). Well worth a read.

[Robert L. Gerhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me the understanding of what was happening at the end of the American involvement in the airwar over North Viet Nam.

It gives me pause to think of what could happened if this operation occurred 7 years earlier. Good book concise and readable!

[Jose Narro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dramatic

A need to read in order to try to understand the Vietnam War, is a pity that all the graphics and maybe some images were taken out of this book version, a must for the serious history reader

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like an after action report

If you weren't involved in the air war you may still gain a new appreciation for its complexity and the amazing bravery of those who flew. I did. USMC VETERAN

[Bill Chelmowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about the action that ended the American part of the Vietnam war, covering the courage and determination of the men who made it happen. A little too technical in some parts but that is the .Air Force.

[Yauhen Patsel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

It's an amazing and very detailed book absolutely worth reading. The problem is with the Kindle edition of the book which lacks pictures, tables, and diagrams mentioned in the text.

[William M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I flew the Navy’s A4C aircraft from the flight deck of USS Intrepid during this Vietnam crisis so could place myself in the cockpits of these A/F and Navy pilots during Linebacker 1 & 2-all brave individuals who faced horrendous SAM 2 & AAA action day and night

[Edwin David · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, this is an informative and at times very interesting book. However, there is a much shorter and far more interesting book screaming to get out. There is simply too much detail for the average reader and I struggled to get through it at times.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT READ

I spent 3years on a B-52 crew flying out of Guam and southern Thailand. It was well before the Linebacker missions. I am proud of those who flew the Linebacker missions.
I’m not a history-buff so I thank you for this.

[Ben Palm Beach. · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book, I feel a few maps and pictures would have helped.
The author Refers you to “ see Figure..” but there are no such references.
I crossed referenced this book with another on the Linebacker 11 operational sorties which helped to understand the flight paths taken.

[Janette R. Mears · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the last air war in Viet Nam

An ok read. Lots of technical Information and military planning. Very detailed. If you were there, it's all about you.

[Domingo X · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good book that dives deep into the operational and technical history of the Christmas bombing campaign. It doesn't dive too deeply into the political reasoning behind the Christmas bombing, and this was disappointing. However, as a military operation summary, this book is top-notch is describing the U.S. and N.V.A technical weaponry and expertise, including the description of electronic warfare tactics, bombing equipment, airplanes, and U.S. Air Force tactics. All of this technical background becomes a slog in the beginning, as it is necessary to provide context to the operational success of Linebacker, but the book comes to life when it comes to the operations in action. The interviews with B-52 pilots and crew members I found the most enlightening and thrilling, which made me yearn for more of these tidbits from their own stories.

[Eric Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in college for a paper I did on the use of strategic bombing as a political tool.

[Earle F. stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting book

This book is very well written,and gives a good insight into how the air war was fought. Also it gives you an idea of what it was like to become a prisoner of war.

[Cameron Dickson]

Intriguing well detailed account.