Mark Scott Smith's Blog: Enemy in the Mirror, page 17

Venera 3 Space Probe

In November 1965 the Soviet Union launched the Venera 3 space probe from Kazakhstan toward Venus. In March 1966, it becomes the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another planet.

Source: Wikipedia

The post Venera 3 Space Probe appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

Battle of Ia Drang Valley

In November 1965 the Battle of Ia Drang in the central highlands of Vietnam was the first major battle between the United States Army and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN). The battle was the first time that US forces employed a large scale helicopter assault with Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers in a tactical support role.

The Americans relied on air mobility, artillery fire and close air support, while the PAVN neutralized that firepower by quickly engaging American forces at very close range.

The post Battle of Ia Drang Valley appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

Rhodesia Declares Independence

In November 1965 the predominantly white Rhodesian Front of Ian Smith declared Independence from the United Kingdom. It was the first unilateral break from the United Kingdom by one of its colonies since the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The United Kingdom deemed the Rhodesian declaration an act of rebellion but did not re-establish control by force. In March 1978 Ian Smith reached an accord with three African leaders, led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa, who offered to leave the white population comfortably entrenched in exchange for the establishment of a biracial democracy. In June 1979 Muzorewa became prime minister and the country’s name was changed to Zimbabwe Rhodesia.

Source: Wikipedia

The post Rhodesia Declares Independence appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

Search & Destroy – Operation Hump

Operation Hump was a search and destroy operation by US and Australian forces in November 1965. The objective was to drive out Viet Cong  units who had taken up positions on several key hills about 17.5 miles north of Bien Hoa. 

Official reports claimed that the 173rd Airborne Brigade had killed about 400 VC by body count and another 200 estimated dead while U.S. casualties were 49 killed and 83 wounded. The figure of 400 VC killed turned out to be a guess made in the immediate aftermath of the battle under pressure from Military Assistance Command, Vietnam headquarters. Later appraisals that raised the count to 700 are suspect as well. 

Source: Wikipedia

The post Search & Destroy – Operation Hump appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

Freedom Flights from Cuba

From 1965 to 1973, Freedom Flights (Los vuelos de la libertad) transported Cubans to Miami twice daily, five times per week. With ~300,000 refugees, it was the largest airborne refugee operation in American history. The program changed the ethnic makeup of Miami and fueled the growth of the Cuban-American enclave there.

Source: Wikipedia

The post Freedom Flights from Cuba appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

2nd India – Pakistan War

 

 

The 1965 second Indo-Pakistan War was an armed conflict between Pakistan and India  from August to September 1965. The conflict began following Pakistan’s infiltration of forces into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate an insurgency against Indian rule. The seventeen-week war caused thousands of casualties on both sides and held the largest engagement of armored vehicles and tanks since World War II.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pakistani_war_of_1965

The post 2nd India – Pakistan War appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

Gemini 5 Spaceflight

In August 1965 NASA launched its 11th crewed spaceflight (including X-15 flights above 100 km).

The crew of Gemini 5 broke the Soviet Union’s previous record for duration set by Vostok 5 in 1963.

Source: Wikipedia

The post Gemini 5 Spaceflight appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

Operation Starlite

In August 1965 Operation Starlite was the first major offensive action conducted by a purely U.S. military unit during the Vietnam War.

The post Operation Starlite  appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

Medicare Established

In July 1965 Social Security Amendments established  Medicare and Medicaid.

The post Medicare Established  appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.

US Draft & Troops in Vietnam Increased

In July 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson doubled the draft and increased the number of United States troops in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000.

The post US Draft & Troops in Vietnam Increased   appeared first on Enemy in the Mirror.