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Airpower in World War II

Airpower in World War II. World War II Overview. Three Part Block of Instruction Part 1 -- The US prepares for war, 1939-41 Part 2 -- Airpower in the European Theater Part 3 -- Airpower in the Pacific Theater. US Prepares for War An Overview. German aggression leading to US involvement

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Airpower in World War II

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  1. Airpower in World War II

  2. World War IIOverview • Three Part Block of Instruction Part 1 -- The US prepares for war, 1939-41 Part 2 -- Airpower in the European Theater Part 3 -- Airpower in the Pacific Theater

  3. US Prepares for War An Overview • German aggression leading to US involvement • The Battle of Britain and the German Luftwaffe • US preparations and the Air War Plans Division Plan #1 • The forming of the Army Air Forces

  4. German Aggression Leading to US 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 Norway, Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and France

  5. Battle 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 • Luftwaffe defeated

  6. Four Phases • Luftwaffe attacked British ship convoys in English Channel • Day and night bombing on RAF airfields • Daylight bombing of British cities • Nighttime bombing of British cities

  7. Reasons for Luftwaffe’s Defeat • Luftwaffe not trained or equipped to conduct strategic bombing • British had excellent command, control, and communication systems in place • Luftwaffe had poor intelligence capabilties

  8. United States prepares 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 US bombing efforts

  9. Air War Plans Division Plan # 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

  10. AWPD # 1 -- Target List • Emphasized the offensive nature of the mission. • Ground support missions were secondary • Four major targets were: Sources of electrical power Transportation systems Sources of oil production Aircraft industry

  11. Forming the Army 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

  12. Summary • Battle of Britain • Air War Plans Division Plan #1 • Army Air Forces

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