Clashes: Air Combat over North
Vietnam, 1965-1972 by Marshall L.; III
Michell
A Troubling History Of Ineffective Weapons
This classic work, part of the Marine Corps reading list, makes full use of
declassified U.S. documents to offer the first comprehensive study of
fighter combat over North Vietnam. Marshall Michel s balanced, exhaustive
coverage describes and analyzes both Air Force and Navy engagements
with North Vietnamese MiGs but also includes discussions of the SAM
threat and U.S. countermeasures, laser-guided bombs, and U.S. attempts
to counter the MiG threat with a variety of technological equipment.
Accessible yet professional, the book is filled with valuable lessons learned
that are as valid today as they were in the 1960s and 1970s. Some 15
photos and 45 drawings and maps, including diagrams of both American
and North Vietnamese formations and tactics, are included.

Personal Review: Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam,
1965-1972 by Marshall L.; III Michell
Clashes deals with the air war over North Vietnam, something I've had a
fascination with for some time. Why, because I wanted to understand why
servicemen were put into a dangerous position and what did really happen.
To help answer this, Col. Michel takes on the entire air war over North
Vietnam (Rolling Thunder, Linebacker I, and Linebacker II). Rather than
looking at it from the cockpit view (ala Thud Ridge: F-105 Thunderchief
missions over Vietnam or When Thunder Rolled), Col. Michel takes us up
to the operations level and provides a good high level breakdown of many
of the raids and the engagements between fighters and the North
Vietnamese air defenses. The book is divided into two parts (Rolling
Thunder and Linebacker) with subsections focusing on different
components (both parts use equipment used, early engagements, later
engagements, and summary). In each of subsection, Col. Michel does a
very good job describing what is occurring and what the Americans and
North Vietnamese are doing. In addition to describing engagements, Col.
Michel does a great job describing the involvement of EC-121's (College
Eye/Disco) and Red Crown (a naval ship controlling the fighters) and their
impact on the fight. Unlike other history's, Clashes does not name the
pilots involved, rather their radio call signs are used.
Parts I Loved:
Clashes gives us much information about the aircraft involved, the abilities
of the men flying them (their training and tactics), and the environment
they're fighting in. I loved the drawings, they do an excellent job showing
the differences between a fluid four and a loose deuce. I also loved Col.
Michel including the technical aspects; performance test of captured MiG's,
the Command and Control aspect (often overlooked), and the power and
effect of jamming.
Parts I Wish Were a Little Stronger:
Iron Hand missions were a little on the weak side. I have a love and
fondness for Wild Weasels and wish that more had been brought out about
their support of the missions and how they operated (I'm sorry, this was
weak in comparison to the attention paid to Chaff bombers). I also wish
more had been brought out about rescue missions and the work they did
there.
Bottom Line
Rating wise, this is a very solid 4.5 star book. I am giving it the node to 5
for Amazon purposes, but for my personal rating I can't rate it up there with
Fire in the Sky: The Air War in the South Pacific by Eric Bergerud (I'm
sorry, Fire in the Sky is my personal favorite or telling the story of an air
war. Clashes though is right behind it!). I understand why Col. Michel
focused heavily on the air-to-air engagements and for the insight he
provides there this a solid 5 star book. No matter, if you want to know
about the Vietnam Air War (mainly in Pack's 5 and 6), then this is the book
for you.

For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam, 1965-1972 by Marshall L.; III Michell 5 Star
Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!