Hobby Master 1/72 Republic F-105D Thunderchief 354th TFS/355th TFW, Thailand, 11th August 1967, "Dropping The Doumer Bridge" (HA2506)

The Doumer Bridge was named after Paul Doumer, Governor-General d Indochine from 1897-1902. In 1954 when the French had been ousted from Vietnam the name was changed to Long Bien Bridge but this wasn't recognized by anyone outside North Vietnam. The bridge was approximately one-mile long and consisted 13 spans that carried two highways and a rail lime. This was a major entry way into Hanoi and was considered a major target by the US. On August 11, 1967 the first attack on the structure was made by 36 F-105s each fitted with two 2,000 pound bombs. The raid had destroyed 3 spans of the bridge but two months later the bridge was operational again. On October 21, 1967 a second raid was made by 21 F-105s and again the bridge was operational two months later. This meant a third raid by fifty F-105s was needed. This time five consecutive spans were put out of commission and stayed like that until March 1968 when US President Johnson halted the bombing. The strike force on the bridge would be led by the 355th TFW. The 354th TFS was activated on November 12, 1942 until November 20, 1946. On November 1, 1952 the group was re-activated but only until January 1, 1958. On April 13, 1962 the 354th was once again brought back and lasted until April 30, 1982.