U.S. B-52 bombers are diverted from their targets in South Vietnam to attack suspected communist base camps and supply areas in Cambodia for the first time in the war. President Nixon approved the mission--formally designated Operation Breakfast--at a meeting of the National Security Council on March 15. This mission and subsequent B-52 strikes inside Cambodia became known as the "Menu" bombings. A total of 3,630 flights over Cambodia dropped 110,000 tons of bombs during a 14-month period through April 1970. This bombing of Cambodia and all follow up "Menu" operations were kept secret from the American public and the U.S. Congress because Cambodia was ostensibly neutral. To keep the secret, an intricate reporting system was established at the Pentagon to prevent disclosure of the bombing. Although the New York Times broke the story of the secret bombing campaign in May 1969, there was little adverse public reaction.
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Mar 18, 1969:
U.S. bombs Cambodia for the first time
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Mar 18 - Mar 24
- Mar 18, 1969
- U.S. bombs Cambodia for the first time
- Mar 18, 1970
- Lon Nol ousts Prince Sihanouk
- Mar 19, 1966
- Seoul agrees to send additional troops
- Mar 19, 1970
- National emergency declared in Cambodia
- Mar 20, 1954
- Americans alarmed about impending French defeat
- Mar 20, 1968
- Retired Marine Commandant comments on conduct of war
- Mar 21, 1967
- North Vietnam rejects Johnson overture
- Mar 21, 1972
- Khmer Rouge shell Phnom Penh
- Mar 22, 1965
- Officials confirm "non-lethal gas" was provided
- Mar 22, 1968
- Westmoreland to depart South Vietnam
- Mar 23, 1961
- U.S. plane shot down over Laos
- Mar 23, 1970
- Prince Sihanouk issues a call for arms
- Mar 24, 1965
- First teach-in conducted
- Mar 24, 1975
- North Vietnamese launch "Ho Chi Minh Campaign"
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