Know the Past ...Shape the Future
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SUMMER 2018 - Volume 65, Number 2 WWW.AFHISTORY.ORG know the past .....Shape the Future The Air Force Historical Foundation Founded on May 27, 1953 by Gen Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS and other air power pioneers, the Air Force Historical All members receive our exciting and informative Foundation (AFHF) is a nonprofi t tax exempt organization. Air Power History Journal, either electronically or It is dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation and on paper, covering: all aspects of aerospace history appropriate publication of the history and traditions of American aviation, with emphasis on the U.S. Air Force, its • Chronicles the great campaigns and predecessor organizations, and the men and women whose the great leaders lives and dreams were devoted to fl ight. The Foundation • Eyewitness accounts and historical articles serves all components of the United States Air Force— Active, Reserve and Air National Guard. • In depth resources to museums and activities, to keep members connected to the latest and AFHF strives to make available to the public and greatest events. today’s government planners and decision makers information that is relevant and informative about Preserve the legacy, stay connected: all aspects of air and space power. By doing so, the • Membership helps preserve the legacy of current Foundation hopes to assure the nation profi ts from past and future US air force personnel. experiences as it helps keep the U.S. Air Force the most modern and effective military force in the world. • Provides reliable and accurate accounts of historical events. The Foundation’s four primary activities include a quarterly journal Air Power History, a book program, a • Establish connections between generations. biennial symposium, and an awards program. Summer 2018 -Volume 65, Number 2 WWW.AFHISTORY.ORG know the past .....Shape the Future Features The Air War Against North Vietnam: The Thanh Hoa Railroad and Highway Bridge, Part 1 Theo van Geffen 7 Robin Olds and the Heroes of Operation Bolo: The Lessons Learned From the Day U.S. Air Power Ruled the Skies Over North Vietnam William P. Head 17 Rescue Operations During Linebacker II Darrel Whitcomb 31 A Tale of Two Commanders Daniel L. Haulman 45 Far East Air Forces RCM Operations in the Final Push on Japan William Cahill 37 Book Reviews Powering the Eagle...Over 90 Years and Counting. Pratt & Whitney’s Inspirational Women By Ned Allen . Review by Daniel J. Simonsen 50 The Shady Lady: 1,500 Hours Flying the U–2 Spy Plane By Rick Bishop Review by Al Mongeon 50 The Mediterranean Air War: Airpower and Allied Victory in World War II By Robert S. Ehlers, Jr. Review by Steve Agoratus 51 Tanker Pilot, Lessons from the Cockpit By Mark Hasara Review by Paul D. Stone 51 Limiting Risk in America’s Wars By Phillip S. Meilinger Review by Golda Eldridge 52 The Origins of American Strategic Bombing Theory By Craig F. Morris Review by Joseph Romito 53 Wave-Off! By Robert R. Powell Review by Golda Eldridge 54 Jacqueline Cochrane: Biography of a Pioneer Aviator By Rhonda Smith-Daugherty . Review by Fred H. Allison 54 Vought F–8 Crusader: Development of the Navy’s First Supersonic Jet Fighter By William D. Spidle Review by Jeffrey P. Joyce 55 The Peenemunde Wind Tunnels: A Memoir By Peter P. Wegener Review by Sherman N. Mullin 56 History of the De Havilland Vampire By David Watkins Review by Jeffrey P. Joyce 56 The Art of Flight By John Watkinson Review by Golda Eldridge 57 The Jet Race and the Second World War By Sterling Michael Pavelec Review by Sherman N. Mullin 57 Red Markers: Close Air Support for the Vietnamese Airborne 1962-1975 By Gary N. Willis Review by Jerome V. Martin 58 Thomas J. Paone Departments President’s Message 5 Upcoming Events, In Memoriam, and Reunions 60 New History Mystery 64 COVER: Four U.S. Air Force Republic F–105D Thunderchief aircraft of the 34th TFS, 388th TFW, each drop six M-117 750-pound bombs over Vietnam during “Operation Rolling Thunder.” The Air Force Historical Foundation The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation Summer 2018 Volume 65 Number 2 Editor Richard I. Wolf Editor Emeritus Jacob Neufeld Air Force Historical Foundation Book Review Editor P.O. Box 790 Scott A. Willey Clinton, MD 20735-0790 (301) 736-1959 Advertising Jim Vertenten E-mail: [email protected] On the Web at http://www.afhistory.org Circulation Angela J. Bear Board of Directors Patron Members Lt Gen Christopher D. Miller, USAF (Ret.) Col Gerald F. Christeson, USAF (Ret.) Chairman Col Dennis M. Drew, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Charles L. Johnson II, USAF (Ret.) Maj Gen Charles J. Dunlap, Jr., USAF Air Power History (ISSN 1044-016X) is pro- First Vice Chairman Dr. John Farquhar duced for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter by Lt Gen Nicholas B. Kehoe, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Raymond Fredette, USAF (Ret.) the Air Force Historical Foun dation. Second Vice Chairman Dr. Rebecca Grant Prospective contributors should consult the Lt Gen Charles R. Heflebower, USAF (Ret.) Dr. Jerome V. Martin Capt Robert Maxson, NOAA GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS at Secretary the back of this journal. Unsolicited manu- Lt Gen George D. Miller, USAF (Ret.) Col Thomas A. Owens, USAF (Ret.) scripts will be returned only on specific Treasurer Col Bobby Moorhatch, USAF (Ret.) request. The Editor cannot accept responsibil- Col Clarence R. Anderegg, USAF (Ret.) Col J Calvin Shahbaz, USAF (Ret.) ity for any damage to or loss of the manu- Col Scott C. Bishop, USAF (Ret.) Brig Gen Wade R. Smith script. The Editor reserves the right to edit Col William J. Dalecky, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Raymond C. Tagge, USAF (Ret.) manuscripts and letters. Lt Col (Dr.) Dik Daso, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Robert J. Elder, USAF (Ret.) President’s Circle Address LETTERS and manuscripts to: CMSgt Robert L. Frank, USAF (Ret.) Col William J. Dalecky, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Steven Gress, Jr., USAF (Ret.) Col Wray Johnson, USAF (Ret.) Air Power History Ms. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes Lt Col Kenneth W. Sublett, USAF (Ret.) 3043 Sunny Ridge Drive Maj Gen Timothy C. Jones, USAF (Ret.) Odenton, MD 21113 e-mail: [email protected] Gen Lloyd W. Newton, USAF (Ret.) Benefactor Mr. Darrell Dvorak MSgt Keith A. Reed, USAF (Ret.) Correspondence regarding missed issues or DONATIONS changes of address should be addressed to Emeritus the CIRCULATION OFFICE: Maj Gen Dale W. Meyerrose, USAF (Ret.) Mr. Michael Clarke Chairman Lt Gen Robert J. Elder, USAF (Ret.) Air Power History Lt Gen Charles L. Johnson II, USAF (Ret.) P.O. Box 790 Lt Gen Nicholas B. Kehoe, USAF (Ret.) Clinton, MD 20735-0790 Editor, Air Power History Maj Gen Dale W. Meyerrose, USAF (Ret.) (301) 736-1959 Richard I. Wolf Lt Gen Christopher Miller, USAF (Ret.) e-mail: [email protected] Gen Lloyd W. Newton, USAF (Ret.) ADVERTISING Editor Emeritus, Air Power History Robert and Kim Nimmons Jacob Neufeld Maj Gen John Patton, USAF (Ret.) Roger Vanderhorst Jim Vertenten Pratt & Whitney P.O. Box 790 Clinton, MD 20735-0790 Lt Gen Stephen Wood, USAF (Ret.) Staff (301) 736-1959 Lt Col James A. Vertenten, USAF (Ret.) e-mail: [email protected] Secretary to the Board and CORPORATE SPONSORS Executive Director Copyright © 2018 by the Air Force Historical Mrs. Angela J. Bear, Office Manager Gold Level ($10,000 or more) Foundation. All rights reserved. Lockheed Martin Corporation Periodicals postage paid at Clinton, MD 20735 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send change of address to the Circulation Office. 2 AIR POWER History / SUMMER 2018 From the Editor This issue seems to be mainly centered on the conflict in Southeast Asia, with three arti- cles on the subject, and one on a little-known aspect of World War II. Our first article is an excellent piece by a new contributor, Theo van Geffen, an F–105 expert from the Netherlands, and the first part of his history of the attempts to use the Thunderchief to knock down the Thanh Hoa Bridge. It’s a fascinating story, and it will be continued in a later issue. The second article is by a long-time and recently-awarded contributor, William Head, who tells the story of Col. Robin Olds and Operation Bolo. It’s a very interesting story, describing how Olds went about luring the North Vietnamese Air Force into an aerial ambush. Our third article is from an old friend of the magazine, Darrel Whitcomb, who has a his- tory about rescue operations during Linebacker II in 1972. As usual with Darrel, it’s very detailed, and a fascinating bit of history. The fourth article is an article by one of our best and well-known contributors, Daniel Haulman, as he describes the trials and tribulations of the Tuskegee Airmen under two very different commanders. As always, we include the usual accompanying book reviews, of which we have provided fourteen this issue. If you have read a book that seems to fit our subject category, and would like to contribute a review, take a look at the contact information on page 59 to send it to our book review editor. Additionally, we include our lists of upcoming historical conferences and events, reu - nions, and an In Memoriam, all starting on page 60. Finally, we close with the Mystery on page 64. Don’t miss the flyer for an upcoming air power symposium, taking place in the autumn, that is found on page 4. The Message from the President starts on page 5. Hope you enjoy it all. Air Power History and the Air Force Historical Foundation disclaim responsibility for statements, either of fact or of opinion, made by contributors.