Existing comment:
1972 Easter Offensive:
South Vietnamese troops began to assume the military roles previously held by American units as these returned to the United States. It was expected that an all-out attack would be launched against South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese once the Americans left the country. The attack actually occurred when 70,000 American troops were still present, but most of these soldiers were support rather than combat soldiers. The offensive sought to defeat South Vietnamese forces and embarrass the United States as it withdrew from Vietnam. The massive attacks began near Easter 1972, and became known as the "Easter Offensive." South Vietnamese forces conducted counterattacks, which forced a communist withdrawal. American air and logistics support played a critical role in sustaining the South Vietnamese and interfering with communist operations. In an aerial campaign, known as the "Linebacker Offensive," US aircraft attacked North Vietnam's economic and military infrastructure, undermining its ability to continue operations and ultimately ending the offensive. The Easter Offensive demonstrated the growing ability of South Vietnamese forces to fight effectively without significant assistance from American ground forces. |