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WWI Thru WWIIWWI Thru WWII Background – The 1920’s General Mitchell’s Crusade The Air Corps Act of 1926 The Air Corps Tactical School Move To Autonomy in the 1930’s WWII Begins The Battle of Britain The U.S. Prepares for War The Army Air Forces
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WWI Thru WWIIWWI Thru WWII The U.S. Enters the Second World War America and its Allies Plan Strategy The U.S. on the Offensive U.S. Strategic Bombing Effort against Germany The Air War against Japan Tactical Airpower in the Pacific Strategic Airpower in the Pacific The End of the Second World War Review CFD Model
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Interwar Years BackgroundInterwar Years Background
Following WW I, U.S. returned to isolationism Army Air Service reduced from 20,000 officers in
1918 to 200 in 1919 Civilian aviation boomed, military budgets were
cut Air service sought to develop an air doctrine Period marked by organizational change and
personality clashes Few Airmen saw the potential of the airplane
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Interwar YearsInterwar YearsGeneral William “Billy” MitchellGeneral William “Billy” Mitchell
Director of Military Aviation in 1919 Believed the airplane would change the
defense establishment Believed the air service was an
offensive force equal to the Army and Navy
Views were strongly opposed by the Army and Navy
Americans wanted no part of a service that looked offensive in nature.
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Billy Mitchell (Cont)Billy Mitchell (Cont) A visionary, fanatic and prophet Alienated many due to constant
attacks and need for 100% support
Technology was not capable of meeting his expectations -- cost him credibility
Feuded extensively with the Navy -- Claimed the battleship was obsolete• His planes bombed and sunk 3 ships• Infuriated the Navy leadership
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Mitchell’s Last CampaignMitchell’s Last Campaign
1922 - 1924 -- Mitchell concentrated on developing doctrine • advocated strategic bombardment
1925 -- Demoted to Lieutenant Colonel because of his unrelenting bid for a separate air force
After the crash of the dirigible, “Shenandoah,” he accused military leaders of “incompetence and criminal negligence”
Court-martial -- October 25, 1925
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Mitchell’s LegacyMitchell’s Legacy
Focused attention on airpower Forced people to accept the potential of
airpower Mentored many aviators who would
carry on his work -- some became instructors at the Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS)
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Air Corps Tactical School Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS) Origins(ACTS) Origins
Founded in 1920 at Langley Field VA
Moved to Maxwell Field AL in 1931
Original mission was to teach air strategy and tactics
Changed to developing and teaching air doctrine (principles and philosophy)
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Air Corps Tactical SchoolAir Corps Tactical School Teachings Teachings
Future wars would be decided by airpower Airplane would be the primary offensive
weapon High-altitude strategic daylight bombing
could paralyze and defeat an industrialized enemy without heavy losses
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Air Corps Tactical SchoolAir Corps Tactical School
Preoccupation with bombers and their missions overwhelmed other teachings• Claire Chennault, who led the Flying Tigers
in WW II, taught pursuit aviation -- advocated escorting bombers and strafing enemy rear areas
• George Kenney, who commanded the Pacific Air Force in WW II, taught attack aviation -- strafing attacks on enemy troops and behind enemy lines
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Organizational ChangeOrganizational Change
Army Reorganization Act of 1920• Air Service gained autonomy in R&D, procurement,
personnel, supply, and training
Air Corps Act of 1926• Changed the name of the Air Service to Air Corps --
implied the Air Corps was capable of independent operations
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Interwar YearsInterwar YearsOrganizational ChangeOrganizational Change
General Headquarters Air Force - 1935• Placed all tactical units under the
Commander, GHQ• Recognition of an independent aviation
branch within the Army
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German Aggression Leading to German Aggression Leading to U.S. Involvement in WW IIU.S. Involvement in WW II
Germany attacks Poland -- 1 Sep 39• The Luftwaffe was used to gain
air superiority, cut supply lines, and support ground forces
Germany then easily conquers Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France
JUNKERS JU 87 “STUKA” Dive bomberJUNKERS JU 87 “STUKA” Dive bomber
MESSERSCHMITT ME 109 FighterMESSERSCHMITT ME 109 Fighter
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Battle of BritainBattle of Britain Britain stands alone against
German aggression -- June 1940
Germany attacks in four phases • Attacks against shipping lines• Day and night bombing of RAF
airfields• Daytime bombing of the cities• Nighttime bombing of the cities
JUNKERS JU 88 BomberJUNKERS JU 88 Bomber
HEINKEL HE 111 BomberHEINKEL HE 111 Bomber
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Reasons for Luftwaffe’s Reasons for Luftwaffe’s DefeatDefeat
Luftwaffe not trained or equipped to conduct strategic bombing
British had excellent command, control, and communication systems in place
Luftwaffe had poor intelligence capabilities
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United States United States Prepares for WarPrepares for War
Army Air Corps was expanded• July 1940 -- Air Corps expands to 54 combat
groups to include 14 heavy bomb groups• March 1941-- Air Corps expands to 48 combat
groups to include 24 heavy bomb groups Emphasis placed on bombers, not escort
aircraft -- hurts U.S. bombing efforts B-17B-17 B-24B-24
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Air War Plans Division Air War Plans Division Plan # 1Plan # 1
Formulated in response to Roosevelt's call for American air doctrine
Established independent operating objectives for the Air Corps
Called for precision bombing of German industry and economy
Flawed because it did not provide for long-range fighter escort
P-51P-51
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AWPD # 1 -- Target ListAWPD # 1 -- Target List
Emphasized the offensive nature of the mission.
Ground support missions were secondary Four major targets were:
Sources of electrical powerTransportation systemsSources of oil productionAircraft industry
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Forming the Army Forming the Army Air Force (AAF)Air Force (AAF)
Army Air Corps and GHQ Air Force merged in June 1941 to form AAF
Resulted from the decentralization of the War Department General Staff which was begun by General George Marshall in 1940
General Hap Arnold named commander One step from full independence as a separate
service
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U.S. Enters WW II -- U.S. Enters WW II -- BackgroundBackground
Relations between U.S. and Germany deteriorate – U.S. destroyer Reuben James sunk in Oct 41
Relations with Japan worsened in 1941• Japan continues Asian aggression• Roosevelt froze Japanese assets in U.S. and halts all
American trade with Japan -- Jul 41• Japan attacks Pearl Harbor -- Dec 7, 1941
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Allied Strategy for Allied Strategy for Winning World War IIWinning World War II
Priority One -- Safeguard Britain and U.S. Priority Two -- Fight a decisive air
offensive against the Axis powers in Europe and fight defensively in Asia
Priority Three -- Sustained air offensive against Japan after the Axis powers were defeated in Europe• Use land forces when, and if, necessary
I + II + III = VictoryI + II + III = Victory
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U.S. First Offensive Action U.S. First Offensive Action of WW II North Africaof WW II North Africa
First use of U.S. ground forces against the Germans
Provided valuable combat experience for ground and air forces
Opportunity for British and U.S. to fight a combined arms campaign
First defeat of the German forces since 1930
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North AfricaNorth Africa U.S. learned some valuable lessons
concerning the employment of airpower in tactical situations
Initial problems experienced by the Allies• Air units were split among ground units• Ground commanders didn’t share aircraft• Airpower was used defensively• Airpower was fragmented and inflexible
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North Africa (Cont)North Africa (Cont) Allied airpower was reorganized in 1942
• Command of the air forces went to Airmen• The air officer decided the missions and allocated forces• Missions became offensive in nature
Flexibility of Allied airpower was restored and air superiority was attained
Tactical missions followed and techniques refined. Allies achieve victory in North Africa in
May 43
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U.S. Strategic Bombing U.S. Strategic Bombing of Germanyof Germany
Heavily influenced by ACTS and bomber advocates• Some felt strategic bombing alone would
defeat Germany• Others believed strategic bombing would
weaken Germany and a ground invasion would be required for her surrender
35
U.S. Bombing StrategyU.S. Bombing Strategy
Committed to high-altitude, daylight precision bombing
Believed heavy bombers, flying in formation, could fight their way to the target and back• Fighter escorts were not necessary
Targets identified by AWPD were best hit in day time Strategy ignored weather conditions, target
obstruction, fighter opposition and anti-aircraft artillery
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Strategic Bombing of Strategic Bombing of Germany Early EffortsGermany Early Efforts
Strategic bombing of Europe was responsibility of the 8th Air Force
First raids were against marshaling yards in France
• little effect Late ‘42 and early ‘43 -- 8th attacked small targets in
Europe -- good experience, little effect Casablanca Conference (Jan ‘43) established strategic
bombing (destruction of German industry) as a major objective
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Strategic Bombing of Strategic Bombing of Schweinfurt GermanySchweinfurt Germany
8th Air Force bombs the ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt in Summer 1943• Aug ‘43 -- 8th inflicts heavy damage but
lost 36 B-17s and 360 crewmen• Oct ‘43 -- AAF lost 60 bombers, had 138
aircraft damaged and 600 men lost Losses were unacceptable No fighter escorts - bombers
vulnerable to enemy fighters and anti-aircraft artillery
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Strategic Bombing Strategic Bombing in Europe: Ploestiin Europe: Ploesti
Aug ‘43 – USAF launch attacks against oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania• 180 aircraft launched, 55 aircraft
lost• Raids were costly but needed to
shorten the war Attacks were designed to
reduce Germany’s oil and lubricant production• Generally ineffective and
deliveries increased until ‘44 when attacks resumed
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Strategic Bombing Strategic Bombing in Europe (Cont)in Europe (Cont)
Long-range fighter escorts arrived in theater in Dec ‘43• Took significant toll on German aircraft and their
experienced pilot force 8th resumed raids into Germany in Feb ‘44
• Launched a 1000 plane raid by end of Feb ‘44• Attacked Berlin in Mar ‘44• German POL production was reduced to 25% capacity by
Sep ‘44
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Strategic BombingStrategic Bombingin Europe: Lessons Learnedin Europe: Lessons Learned
Target list was not what it should have been• Attacks on sub-pens and ball bearing
plants were ineffective• Best targets were the POL production
facilities and sources of electrical power
Terror bombing of civilians was ineffective and did little to lower morale
Bombers needed fighter escorts to and from the target
43
The Air War Against JapanThe Air War Against JapanJapanese ObjectivesJapanese Objectives
Territorial expansion to reduce over-crowding at home and gain raw materials
Moved to fill the power vacuum in the Southwest Pacific created German aggression in Europe
Keep the U.S. out of the war for 2 years with a knockout blow at Pearl Harbor• Underestimated American resolve and
anger
44
Allied Strategy to Allied Strategy to Defeat JapanDefeat Japan
China-Burma-India -- Japan’s back door• Campaign to re-supply troops in China
and recapture Southeast Asia• AAF flew the “hump” -- supply route over
the Himalayas -- “A logistics triumph” South Pacific Offensive -- Island
hopping campaign led by General MacArthur
Central Pacific Offensive -- Island hopping campaign led by Admiral Nimitz
C-47 SkytrainC-47 Skytrain
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Tactical Airpower in Tactical Airpower in the Pacificthe Pacific
Far East Air Force (FEAF) -- formed to support the South Pacific campaign• Made up of the 5th and 13th Air Forces• Used innovative techniques such as fragmentation
bombs to interdict enemy positions and troops• Employed fighters and medium bombers,
P-38 was a huge success• Won air superiority through a war of attrition
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First strategic raid 18 Apr 1942• Jimmy Doolittle led flight of 16 bombers from
the deck of the aircraft carrier, “Hornet”• 600 mile flight, did little damage, but boosted
morale of US forces and shocked the Japanese
20th Air Force was formed in 1944 specifically to bomb Japan• Initial results were poor due to high altitude
bombing techniques
Strategic Airpower in Strategic Airpower in the Pacificthe Pacific
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Jan 1945 -- General Arnold put Gen Curtis LeMay in charge of strategic bombing• Changed tactics to use incendiary bombs• Lowered bombing altitude to improve B-29s accuracy• Launched first firebomb attack of Tokyo on 9 Mar 45 -- 279 B-29s participated
-- Burned 16 sq miles, destroyed 267,000 buildings and killed 85,000 people
Strategic Airpower in Strategic Airpower in the Pacific (Cont)the Pacific (Cont)
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Strategic Airpower in the Strategic Airpower in the Pacific The End of the WarPacific The End of the War
President Truman authorizes nuclear strikes against Japan• 6 Aug 45 -- Hiroshima bombed - 70,000
killed• 9 Aug 45 -- Nagasaki bombed - 40,000
killed Japan surrendered 15 Aug 1945 WW II ended formally with ceremonies on
the USS Missouri on 2 Sep 1945
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Review of CFD ModelReview of CFD Model
Distinctive Capabilities: Air and space expertise, capabilities and technological know-how that produces superior military capabilities
Functions: Broad, fundamental and continuing activities of air and space power
Doctrine: fundamental principles which military forces guide their actions in support of national objectives
Time Period
DistinctiveCapabilities
Functions(missions)
Doctrinal Emphasis
Pre WW I Information Superiority Surveillance & Reconnaissance Artillery SpottingGathering MilitaryInfo to support landforces
Post WW I Information SuperiorityPrecision Engagement
Surveillance & ReconnaissanceCounter AirStrategic attack
Theater attack, Of military targets
Pre WW II Precision EngagementInformation SuperiorityLimited Air Superiority
Surveillance & ReconnaissanceCounter AirStrategic AttackAirlift
Strategic attack on enemy homeland (enemy war machine)
Post WW II
Precision EngagementInformation SuperiorityAir SuperiorityAgile Combat Support
Surveillance & ReconnaissanceCounter Air/LandStrategic AttackAirlift/Special Operations
Strategic Attack
Time Period
DistinctiveCapabilities
Functions(missions)
Doctrinal Emphasis
Pre WW I Information Superiority Surveillance & Reconnaissance Artillery SpottingGathering MilitaryInfo to support landforces
Post WW I Information SuperiorityPrecision Engagement
Surveillance & ReconnaissanceCounter AirStrategic attack
Theater attack, Of military targets
Pre WW II Precision EngagementInformation SuperiorityLimited Air Superiority
Surveillance & ReconnaissanceCounter AirStrategic AttackAirlift
Strategic attack on enemy homeland (enemy war machine)
Post WW II
Precision EngagementInformation SuperiorityAir SuperiorityAgile Combat Support
Surveillance & ReconnaissanceCounter Air/LandStrategic AttackAirlift/Special Operations
Strategic Attack
53
WWI Thru WWIIWWI Thru WWII Background – The 1920’s. General Mitchell’s Crusade. The Air Corps Act of 1926. The Air Corps Tactical School. Move To Autonomy in the 1930’s WWII Begins The Battle of Britain The U.S. Prepares for War. The Army Air Forces.
54
WWI Thru WWIIWWI Thru WWII The U.S. Enters the Second World
War. America and its Allies Plan Strategy. The U.S. on the Offensive. U.S. Strategic Bombing Effort
against Germany. The Air War against Japan. Tactical Airpower in the Pacific. Strategic Airpower in the Pacific. The End of the Second World War. Review CFD Model