Title

Mayflower

Start Date

5/12/1965

End Date

5/18/1965

Objective

To end the war in Vietnam via bombing halts.

Description

This operation was the first deliberate bombing pause by the U.S., halting ROLLING THUNDER for a while. The Johnson government hoped the pause would stop criticism about how the bombing affected citizens, expose the fallacies in the DRV, and pave the way for even larger air strikes. The U.S. tried to send a communique to the DRV ambassador in Moscow, but it was not opened. After other attempts to deliver a communique, bombing resumed on the 18th. This operation allowed the Johnson administration to difuse some of the criticism against their government by exposing the DRV's refusal to negotiate. It also provided a justification to escalate ROLLING THUNDER.