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Airpower:Airpower:WW I through WW IIWW I through WW II

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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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The Interwar YearsThe Interwar Years

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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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Billy Mitchell VideoBilly Mitchell Video

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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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Airpower in Airpower in World War IIWorld War II

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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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Phase IPhase I

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Phase IIPhase II

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Phase IIIPhase III

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Phase IVPhase IV

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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 Africa VideoNorth Africa Video

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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

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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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Schweinfurt Bombing VideoSchweinfurt Bombing Video

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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

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Pacific Theater inPacific Theater inWorld War IIWorld War II

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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

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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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Air War Against Japan VideoAir War Against Japan Video

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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

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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