What is the cartoonist's message of this source? (Source to be put on the screen) 7 Marks

The main message of this source is that the American air strikes on Vietnam were effective in helping to diminish Ho Chi Minh's and the Viet Cong's control of the South . In the source Ho Chi Minh is shown to be an octopus, and his tentacles are gradually taking over South Vietnam. I would argue that the cartoonist is in favour of the US Air Strikes and believes that they are effective in cutting this control. Emphasis is put on the fact that the bombing is the most effective way to combat the communists. In March 1965, the USA initiated Operation Rolling Thunder and initially, this was seen to be an effective way to combat the Viet Congs, without causing damage to the rest of the country. This is clearly shown by the clean cutting of one of the tentacles in the source. However, this source was made in April 1965, and the artists clearly did not know the atrocities that were going to prevail.