Break in the Chain - Intelligence Ignored by W. R. Baker

Author:W. R. Baker [Baker, W. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, Vietnam War, United States, Political Science, Intelligence & Espionage
ISBN: 9781612009926
Google: fNszEAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Casemate
Published: 2021-07-31T01:43:43+00:00

#2 Combat Skyspot blew the bridge

Combat Skyspot was a bombing system derived from SAC’s Radar Bomb Scoring (RBS) system, which used the MSQ-35, a ground-based radar/computer unit that could predict the exact point of impact of a simulated bomb drop. Dale Andrade states that “Most accounts credit Combat Skyspots with destroying the bridge.”11 These accounts include 1st Armored Brigade, MACV, Advisory Team 155, and the coastal zone intelligence officer for Commander, Naval Forces, Vietnam (COMNAVFORV)—none of whom were at the scene when the bridge was blown. “Bippy” was the call sign attached to this mission at 1324, April 2, 1972. Likewise, there is a copy of a request for Combat Skyspot to drop the bridge, though there is no identification of the requestor given.

But what was also seen by FACs flying in the area was the northern part of the main bridge being hit, but still usable for tanks, trucks, etc. “At 1324L, the north end of the vehicular bridge was struck with a Skyspot airstrike and partly destroyed. For the time being, the NVA drive was stopped.”12

Due to an earlier incident, however, “Combat Sky Spot (CSS) missions would not be requested until a FAC had positively located the friendly elements by overflight.”13 Further, the USS Buchanan had maintained a complete radar watch over the area and no FAC aircraft flew over the area due to weather. Also, with the 3rd VNMC and 20th Armored on the southern bank and the NVA tanks and troops on the northern bank, a FAC would certainly have noticed their presence. “The Dong Ha bridge had been prepared for demolition, but the 1st Armor Brigade commander refused to allow its destruction until he obtained a clearer picture of the situation. However, a previously requested Combat Skyspot air strike and sympathetic detonation of the demolitions dropped one span of the bridge.”14

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