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The U.S. in WWII

The U.S. in WWII. Strategic Bombing. Carl Spaatz Henry H. “Hap” Arnold Curtis LeMay. B-17 B-29 B-24. USAAF Doctrine. Pre-war: Precision strikes on industrial and transportation targets to paralyze enemy’s economy and logistical capacity. Attacks to be made at high altitude.

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The U.S. in WWII

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  1. The U.S. in WWII Strategic Bombing

  2. Carl SpaatzHenry H. “Hap” ArnoldCurtis LeMay

  3. B-17B-29B-24

  4. USAAF Doctrine • Pre-war: Precision strikes on industrial and transportation targets to paralyze enemy’s economy and logistical capacity. • Attacks to be made at high altitude. • Assumed bombers could fly unescorted to targets. • During the war: Also strikes on military targets. • Required daylight bombing missions.

  5. The British Experience • Daylight raids produced large losses of places and crews. • Accuracy a problem. • RAF Bomber Command adopted policy of bombing cities during night missions.

  6. U.S. efforts, 1942 – early 1943 • Small: planes diverted to other operations. • U-boat facilities made a high priority. • Most targets in France or Low countries – bomber missions had fighter cover.

  7. Casablanca Conference • Allied leaders commit themselves to pursuing strategic bombing, authorize the Combined Bomber Offensive • Operation POINTBLANK • British will pursue night missions, area bombing • U.S., day missions and precision bombing.

  8. Summer 1943 • Strategic bombing effort ramps up. • USAAF forces in Europe get enough planes to launch large raids into Germany. • Facilities engaged in producing aircraft or related components made a priority. • Included ball-bearing plants.

  9. Deep raids result in prohibitive losses • Bombers unescorted by fighters for all or part of journey. • Stiff resistance put up by Luftwaffe and anti-aircraft batteries. • Radar-assisted air defenses • German pilots discovered successful tactics to attack bomber formations.

  10. Example: Schweinfurt • August 17, 1943: 60 of 315 bombers lost. • October 14, 1943: 60 of 230 bombers lost.

  11. Damage • Targets often hit. • But German industrial infrastructure more resilient than anticipated. • In some arms categories, production increases through 1944.

  12. 1944: Help for the Bombing Campaign • New fighters: P-51 • More planes. • Attacks from the Mediterranean. • Attrition of German pilots.

  13. Switch in priorities • Oil • Transportation

  14. Accomplishments of the Strategic Bombing Campaign • Broke the Luftwaffe • Allies had air superiority over Normandy • German logistical system crippled late in the war. • Could not get arms to front. • Vehicles lacked oil to move. • How much of the Allied victory was due to the air campaign?

  15. The Costs • 29,000 U.S. airmen, 8,200 bombers lost. • About 600,000(?) civilian casualties. • Firestorms: • Hamburg: July, 1943 • Dresden: Feb., 1945

  16. USAAF Strategic Bombing: Japan • Regular raids from Marianas begin in November 1944. • Problems: • Home islands extreme range for B-29’s • Clouds • Strong winds

  17. Curtis LeMay provides the solutions • Conduct raids at lower altitudes. • Night missions. • Pursue area bombing. • Incendiaries.

  18. Debut of new tactics:The Tokyo Raid,March 9-10, 1945

  19. Remainder of war:Japan’s cities systematically destroyed

  20. Hiroshima: August 6, 1945Nagasaki: August 9, 1945

  21. Considerations… • Attacks on non-combatants. • The role of non-combatants in war. • Moral vs. immediate concerns. • Causation. • Intent.

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