1972 Vietnam Report Uncovers How Hanoi Shot Down American Fighter Pilots

This unusual report presents a view from the other side. Swedish TV did it. They considered themselves neutral during the war. Watching this still creeps me out as I knew fighter pilots who were shot down over North Vietnam and became prisoners of war (horribly treated) and several who were killed when shot down.

The Vietnam War was marked by intense aerial combat. The United States and its allies lost a significant number of aircraft. According to U.S. Air Force statistics, a total of 1,737 aircraft were lost. Some of the pilots whose planes were shot down were killed or went missing while others were captured and became prisoners of war. One of the most famous American pilots was John McCain who was captured by North Vietnamese and held for 5 years.

The number of planes shot down underscores the high level of risk faced by U.S. pilots during the war. Many pilots who were shot down and survived the initial crash were captured and held as POWs in very harsh conditions. Clearly the Swedish TV reporter did not get the chance to see or talk with any of them.

Being a fighter pilot carrying out bombing missions over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War was incredibly dangerous. These missions faced numerous threats and challenges:
As this video shows North Vietnam had an extensive network of anti-aircraft guns that could fire at high altitudes, making it perilous for U.S. aircraft.

The North Vietnamese were supplied with advanced SAMs by their Soviet allies. These missiles could track and hit high-flying aircraft, forcing pilots to adopt low-level flight paths, which then exposed them to small arms fire and AAA.

The North Vietnamese Air Force, equipped primarily with Soviet-made MiG fighters, posed a significant threat to American bombers.

The weather over North Vietnam could be unpredictable and could seriously hamper bombing missions. Dense jungle and mountainous terrain also complicated missions and made crash landings or parachute escapes particularly dangerous.

The North's primitive but sophisticated air defenses and the U.S.'s heavy reliance on air power resulted in a high loss rate for American aircraft. Many pilots were shot down and either killed or captured.

What happened to those pilots who were captured? A significant number became prisoners of war (POWs). The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency says there were 766 American POWs during the Vietnam War. This total includes personnel from all branches of service, not just pilots who were shot down.

Not all American POWs survived captivity. Some died due to their injuries, illness, or mistreatment. Others were not released until the end of U.S. involvement in the war in 1973. The experience of being a POW had long-lasting impacts on those who went through it, both physically and psychologically. The danger faced by these pilots and the sacrifices they made are a significant part of the history of the Vietnam War.