Pacific Theater in World War II 1

The Use of Airpower Against Japan: An Overview Allied strategy to defeat Japan Use of tactical airpower in the Pacific Theater Use of strategic airpower in the Pacific Theater 2

The Air War Against Japan Japanese 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 US out of the war for 2 years with a knockout blow at Pearl Harbor Underestimated American resolve and anger 3

Allied Strategy to Defeat Japan China-Burma-India -- Japan’s back door Campaign to resupply 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 4

Tactical Airpower in the 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 5

Tactical Airpower in the Pacific 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 6

Tactical Airpower in the Pacific (Cont) 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 83,000 people 7

Strategic Airpower in the Pacific 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 8

Review of CFD Model Competencies: 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

CFD Model Application Pre WWI: Post WWI: Competencies: Functions: Doctrinal Emphasis: Information Gathering Reconnaissance Artillery spotting, gathering military info for land forces Limited attack; info gather Counterattack; theater attack, reconnaissance Theater attack of mil targets

CFD Model Application Pre WWII: Limited attack Information Gathering Limited Air Superiority Pre WWII: Competencies: Functions: Doctrinal Emphasis: Reconnaissance Counterair Strategic Attack Airlift Strategic attack on the enemy homeland (enemy war machine)

CFD Model Application Limited attack Information Gathering Post WWII: Air Superiority Limited Agility Combat Support Post WWII: Competencies: Functions: Doctrinal Emphasis: Counter land Counter sea SAR Special Ops Reconnaissance Counterair Strategic Attack Airlift Strategic attack