1 / 14

The European Theater in World War II

The European Theater in World War II. The Use of Airpower in Europe: An Overview. US enters the war -- background Allied strategy for winning WW II The role of airpower in European Theater and lessons learned North African campaign Strategic bombing of Germany.

donnel
Télécharger la présentation

The European Theater in World War II

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The European Theater in World War II

  2. The Use of Airpower in Europe: An Overview • US enters the war -- background • Allied strategy for winning WW II • The role of airpower in European Theater and lessons learned North African campaign Strategic bombing of Germany

  3. US Enters WW II -- Background • Relations between US and Germany deteriorate -- US destroyer sunk in Oct ‘41 • Relations with Japan worsened in 1941 • Japan continues Asian aggression • Roosevelt froze Japanese assets in US and halts all American trade with Japan -- Jul ‘41 • Japan attacks Pearl Harbor -- Dec 7, 1941

  4. Allied Strategy for Winning World War II • Priority One -- Safeguard Britain and US • 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 weredefeated in Europe • Use land forces when, and if, necessary

  5. US First Offensive Action of WW II North Africa • First use of US ground forces against the Germans • Provided valuable combat experience for ground and air forces • Opportunity for British and US to fight a combined arms campaign • First defeat of the German forces since 1930

  6. North Africa • US 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

  7. 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 • Allies achieve victory in North Africa in May ‘43

  8. US Strategic Bombing of 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

  9. US Bombing Strategy • Committed to high-altitude, daylight precision bombing • Belief 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

  10. Strategic Bombing of Germany Early Efforts • Strategic bombing of Europe was responsibility of the 8th Air Force • First raid 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

  11. Strategic Bombing of Schweinfurt Germany • 8th Air Force bomb 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

  12. Strategic Bombing in Europe: Ploesti • Aug ‘43 -- USSAF 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

  13. Strategic Bombing 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

  14. Strategic Bombingin 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

More Related