Modern Strategists: Air
Strategic and Tactical
8801, Lesson 11
Last Week
Character and Nature of WWII
Points to remember
Japan’s National and Military strategy
Characteristics of the US war in the Pacific
WWII as Clausewitz’s absolute war
The consequences of WWII
Evolution of warfare
Educational Objectives
To understand
the history behind the development of air
power
the thinking of strategic theorists and their
arguments
The ideas of non-strategic theorists and relate
their ideas to non-strategic operations.
To compare the theories and practices of
the major participants in WWII.
Background
Issues
Organization of the air arm
Employment of aircraft
Record of performance
Precepts/Basic Ideas
Advantage
Targets
Air Power
Historical Background
Early Views
The Interwar Years
“National” theories
Importance of air power theory
Views of Airpower
Douhet
Mitchell
Geiger
Warden
Issues
Role
Type
Organization
Douhet
Basic ideas
The role of aviation
The type of aircraft
How organized
Mitchell
Basic ideas
The role of aviation
The type of aircraft
How organized
Major difference
Geiger
Basic ideas
The role of aviation
The type of aircraft
How organized
Warden
Basic ideas
The role of aviation
The type of aircraft
How organized
Air Power in Action
The Inter War Years
During WWII
After WWII
Kosovo
Afghanistan
Air Power
The Interwar Years
Major influences
National positions
• GB
• US
• Japan
• USSR
• Germany
Air Power During WWII
National practices
Great Britain
United States
Japan
Germany
Results
Importance of air power theory
Political appeal
Surgical
Low casualties
Decisive
After World War II
Strategic intellectuals
1945-1953
1961
Kosovo
Afghanistan
American themes
Kosovo
Major questions:
First triumph of air?
Why did Milosevic give in?
The answer?
Mitchell + Technology + Warden
Operation Enduring Freedom
Major questions:
Successful?
Why successful?
Air Power
American Themes
Precision bombing
Surgical strikes
Casualty-free
Decisive
Airpower
Negative effect in the 3rd World
Bombing from afar/on high
Expectations
Collateral damage
Media
Current view: Bombing works
Issues for Consideration
Douhet and Mitchell
Comparison of Air Power
Geiger’s View of Air Power
Warden’s Ideas on Air Power
Influence on Strategy
Douhet and Mitchell
Basic ideas
Assumptions
Relevance today
Comparison of Air Power
Theories and practices
GB
US
Japan
Germany
Geiger’s View of Air Power
Basic ideas
Perspective
Warden’s Ideas on Air Power
Theory
Views
Influence on WWII Strategy
Mitchell
GB
US
Douhet
GB
US
Summary:
Country’s choice
No widely accepted theorist
Mixed results
WWII
Since WWII
General view
Modern Theorists: Air –
Strategic and Tactical
Points to remember
Geiger’s view of air power
Douhet’s theory
Non-strategic air proponents
Interwar and WWII applications of
Douhet’s theories
Next week:
Modern Theorists III
Revolutionary War
Review
Exam:
• Questions: December 13
• Answers: December 20