McNamara that the bulk of the civilian casualties were not caused by attacks in North Viet Nam on fixed targets but by intensive bombing of logistical routes via armed reconnaissance. In general, it was pointed out by General Wheeler and Sec. The President suggested that we analyze our records and try to find out where this 10% fell. It was difficult to estimate the number of casualties from the 10% that would fall outside the 3 CEP. The basis for these estimates was examined, it being pointed out that they flowed from an estimate that 90% of the bombs would fall within 3 CEP (probable civilian error) from the center of the target. General Wheeler thought at the most between 2 and 300, including those engaged in the plants attacked. The President asked how many casualties in all would be inflicted by the proposed program. The estimate was that an attack would inflict 19 civilian casualties, 5 in the plant, 14 outside. There was considerable discussion of the power plant at Hanoi containing about 20% of residual electric capacity. General Wheeler did not expect a major direct military effect from the attacks. The objective of the bombing was to exert pressure on the North Vietnamese economy and on the will of the North Vietnamese government to persist in the conduct of the war. The exact location of these plants was discussed and the estimated level of civilian casualties. The interconnected North Viet Nam grid supplying 138,000 kilowatts. The steel and cement plants in North Viet Nam ![]() General Wheeler presented the case for bombing the following: (Ibid., Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation Between Johnson and McNamara, February 16, 1967, 11:32 a.m., Tape 67.06, Side B, PNO 4) (Ibid., President' s Daily Diary) In a telephone conversation with the President on February 16, McNamara said that he and Wheeler would be able to meet with the President the next day in order "to review these bombing targets and evaluate the benefits of taking them out and perhaps propose a sequence of moves against them." The President tentatively agreed to the meeting. The meeting lasted from 12:25 to 2:04 p.m. 1/Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Files of Walt Rostow, Bombing. Notes of Meeting With President Johnson /1/ ![]() You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Office of the Historian > Foreign Relations of the United States > Johnson Administration > Volume VĨ4.
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