One Day in a Long War

Author: Jeffrey Ethell & Alfred Price
Publisher: Random House NY
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover w/Dust Cover
ISBN: 0-394-57622-5
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Synopsis: Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price reconstruct in minute detail the events of May 10, 1972, during the Vietnam War, examining how a single day's air operations reflected the broader challenges and complexities of the Southeast Asian conflict. This comprehensive analysis uses hour-by-hour documentation to show how multiple air operations unfolded simultaneously across different theaters, providing insight into the coordination and challenges of modern air warfare. The authors document the various types of missions conducted on this representative day, from strategic bombing operations against North Vietnamese targets to close air support missions for ground forces in South Vietnam. The book examines the complex planning and coordination required to execute multiple simultaneous operations while managing limited resources and conflicting priorities. Ethell and Price analyze the technological capabilities and limitations that affected air operations, showing how different aircraft types and weapons systems performed under varying operational conditions. The work explores the human dimension of air combat, documenting the experiences of pilots, aircrew, and ground personnel who participated in the day's operations. The authors examine the intelligence gathering and analysis that supported mission planning, showing how reconnaissance and communication intercepts influenced tactical decisions. The book analyzes the effectiveness of enemy air defenses, documenting how North Vietnamese forces employed surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft guns, and fighter aircraft to counter American air operations. The work explores the coordination between different military services and allied forces, showing how joint operations evolved to maximize combined effectiveness. Ethell and Price document the results and consequences of the day's operations, analyzing both immediate tactical outcomes and longer-term strategic implications. The book examines the challenges of conducting sustained air operations under political constraints, showing how rules of engagement and target restrictions affected mission planning and execution. The authors analyze the role of technology in modern air warfare, examining how electronic countermeasures, precision-guided weapons, and advanced communication systems influenced combat effectiveness. The work documents the logistical challenges of supporting extensive air operations, from fuel and ammunition supply to aircraft maintenance and personnel rotation. The book explores the psychological aspects of air combat, analyzing how stress, fatigue, and continuous operations affected pilot performance and decision-making. The authors examine the propaganda and public relations aspects of air operations, showing how military actions were portrayed to domestic and international audiences. Through detailed reconstruction and careful analysis, this work demonstrates how individual air operations contributed to the broader war effort while revealing the complexity and human cost of modern aerial warfare in a limited conflict environment.

One Day in a Long War, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.