VietNamNet Bridge – A book Doi Mat Voi B52 (Facing the B-52s) revealing the memories of historical witnesses to the "Dien Bien Phu in the Air" Campaign against the US B-52 air blitz on Ha Noi in 1972 will be released here next Tuesday.

The book portrays Hanoians and their air defence force during the campaign through the stories of 116 witnesses.

The book reviews the lives of Hanoians during the period of 1966-72 and examines the historic 12-day campaign Vietnamese soldiers and people fought to see off the US air raid and maintain peace.

The book is compiled by a group of correspondents led by Nguyen Xuan Mai, former editor-in-chief of Phong Khong - Khong Quan (Air Defence - Air Force) newspaper, who witnessed the 1972 campaign.

In October 1972, Viet Nam and the US agreed to end the war and restore peace in Viet Nam. However, the US broke the agreement and sent B-52 bombers to blitz Ha Noi and the northern port of Hai Phong. The then US President Richard Nickson, attempted to use the raids to force North Viet Nam to accept the US's imposing conditions. However, the raids failed after 81 planes were shot down including 34 B-52s and five F-11s, with many US pilots killed or taken prisoner.

Harnessing the people's strength combined with the air force, Viet Nam defeated the US bombing campaign. After 12 days and nights, the soldiers and citizens in Ha Noi and Hai Phong witnessed a glorious Dien Bien Phu-type air victory, defeating the US aggressors in North Viet Nam's sky.

The victory completely defeated the US aggressors, forcing them to return to the negotiating table and sign the Paris Agreement on January 27, 1973.

VietNamNet/VNS