The European Theater The European Theater in World War IIin World War II

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The Use of Airpower in The Use of Airpower in Europe: An OverviewEurope: An Overview

US enters the war -- background Allied strategy for winning WW II The role of airpower in European Theater

and lessons learnedNorth African campaign

Strategic bombing of Germany

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US Enters WW II -- US Enters WW II -- BackgroundBackground

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

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Allied Strategy for Allied Strategy for Winning World War IIWinning 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 were defeated in Europe• Use land forces when, and if, necessary

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US First Offensive Action US First Offensive Action of WW II North Africaof 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

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North AfricaNorth 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

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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

Allies achieve victory in North Africa in May ‘43

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US Strategic Bombing US 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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US Bombing StrategyUS 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

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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 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

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Strategic Bombing of Strategic Bombing of Schweinfurt GermanySchweinfurt 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

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Strategic Bombing Strategic Bombing in Europe: Ploestiin 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

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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