Could an Allied military victory have been achieved without a ground invasion and without conquest of North Vietnam?
Most likely “Yes” if the resupply of the communist forces was cut off through the following measures: 1) Ground interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh trail network in Laos and Cambodia to stop the flow of supplies. 2) Elimination of NVA base camp sanctuaries in Laos and Cambodia. 3) A naval blockade of military supplies arriving by ship in North Vietnam and Cambodias Port of Sihanouk. 4) Continued bombing of military targets inside North Vietnam. For example, the massive U.S. Linebacker II bombing campaign of North Vietnam and U.S. naval mining of the Hai Phong harbor quickly forced the NVA to sign the Paris Peace Agreement. However, because steps 1 and 2 above were not accomplished, the NVA quickly reverted to its old tactics after the U.S.A. forces withdrew and the POWs were freed.
