Soviet MiG fighters take brunt of ‘Christmas Bombings’ 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: Dec. 28, 1972 (5:58)

(Thursday, December 28, 1972; during Operation Linebacker II, part of the Vietnam War) — Hanoi’s Soviet MiG fighters are now taking the brunt of “The Christmas Bombings” battle over North Vietnam as ammunition is critically short. A thousand surface-to-air missiles have been used, but very few are now in evidence. By now, over 100,000 bombs have been dropped over Hanoi and Haiphong. But 33 U.S. air men are dead or missing.