In 1971 and 1972, American troop withdrawals accelerated under President Nixon’s Vietnamization policy. The South Vietnamese Army faced its first major test during Operation Lam Son 719 in Laos, which ended in a costly failure and revealed the ARVN’s limitations. Domestically, antiwar sentiment intensified, fueled by the Winter Soldier Investigation, rising drug use and fragging within the military, and the explosive release of the Pentagon Papers. In 1972, North Vietnam launched the massive Nguyen Hue (Easter) Offensive, aiming to decisively defeat the South. Despite initial successes, the offensive was repelled with significant help from U.S. air power, including Operation Linebacker and the mining of Haiphong Harbor. While the ARVN held its ground, the costly battle highlighted the fragility of Vietnamization and set the stage for the war’s final phase. Join Sean and James as they discuss the autumn of the Vietnam War.

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