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    Airpower Employment Of The Fifth Air Force In The World War II Southwest Pacific Theater
    Airpower Employment Of The Fifth Air Force In The World War II Southwest Pacific Theater
    Airpower Employment Of The Fifth Air Force In The World War II Southwest Pacific Theater
    Ebook66 pages38 minutes

    Airpower Employment Of The Fifth Air Force In The World War II Southwest Pacific Theater

    By Major James A. Barr

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    This research project studies the employment of airpower by the Fifth Air Force, under Gen George C. Kenney, in the Southwest Pacific Theater during World War II. The research began with two basic assumptions. First, it assumed that the strategic bombardment theory developed by the Air Corps Tactical School in the 1930s was the definitive doctrine of the Air Corps upon entry into World War II. Second, it assumed that General Kenney and his staff were required to develop a new doctrine for airpower employment since the situation in the Southwest Pacific did not lend itself to strategic bombardment of the Japanese industrial web. The research process proved both of these assumptions invalid.
    Study of historical records, personal accounts, and subsequent historical writings in several areas revealed that there was no clear and consistent doctrine for the employment of airpower...
    General Kenney assumed command of the Fifth Air Force with a clear vision of how to employ air forces to defeat the enemy. His diverse background gave him a balanced view of the roles airpower should play, and he was not convinced by the strategic bombardment theory that claimed invincibility for the bomber. His World War I experiences and teachings at the Air Corps Tactical School provided a strong belief in the importance of air superiority and attack aviation. He was innovative in modifying tactics and equipment, and in developing new roles for airpower as the situation dictated...
    This study surveys the development of airpower doctrine beginning with World War followed by major developments during the interwar period in several arenas. It then looks at the varied aspects of Gen George C. Kenney’s career which prepared him to command the Fifth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific Theater during World War II. Finally, it considers General Kenney’s employment of airpower in light of the pre-war doctrine development.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherVerdun Press
    Release dateAug 15, 2014
    ISBN9781782897071
    Airpower Employment Of The Fifth Air Force In The World War II Southwest Pacific Theater

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      Book preview

      Airpower Employment Of The Fifth Air Force In The World War II Southwest Pacific Theater - Major James A. Barr

       This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com

      To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – picklepublishing@gmail.com

      Or on Facebook

      Text originally published in 1997 under the same title.

      © Pickle Partners Publishing 2014, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

      Publisher’s Note

      Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

      We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

      AIRPOWER EMPLOYMENT OF THE FIFTH AIR FORCE IN THE WORLD WAR II SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER

      by

      Major James A. Barr

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      I would like to thank my Air Command and Staff College research advisor, Lt Col Ernest G. Howard, for his time and effort in guiding me through the research process. His experience and wisdom helped me bypass several hurdles along the way.

      I would also like to thank Mr. Joseph Caver and the rest of the staff at the Air Force Historical Research Agency. Their patience and assistance were very helpful in finding and sifting through many boxes of documents.

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Contents

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 4

      TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

      ABSTRACT 7

      Chapter 1 — Pre-World War II Air Doctrine Developments 8

      World War I Developments 8

      Political Post-War Environment 8

      Air Corps Tactical School 10

      Air Corps Staff 11

      War Department General Staff 12

      Air War Plans Division 13

      Chapter 2 — General Kenney’s Qualifications 15

      Breadth of Career Experience 15

      Kenney’s Philosophy on Air Warfare 16

      Chapter 3 — Southwest Pacific Theater 18

      Overview Prior to General Kenney Taking Command 18

      General Kenney Assumes Command 19

      Chapter 4 — Effectiveness of Airpower in the Southwest Pacific 25

      Roles and Impact of the Fifth Air Force 25

      MacArthur and Arnold Views on Kenney 26

      Japanese Weaknesses 27

      Chapter 5 — Conclusions 28

      Lack of US Pre-war Air Doctrine 28

      Final Remarks 29

      REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 31

      Bibliography 32

      Primary Sources 32

      Secondary Sources 32

      ABSTRACT

      This research project studies the employment of airpower by the Fifth Air Force, under Gen George C. Kenney, in the Southwest Pacific Theater during World War II. The research began with two basic assumptions. First, it assumed that the strategic bombardment theory developed by the Air Corps Tactical School in the 1930s was the definitive doctrine of the Air Corps upon entry into World War II. Second, it assumed that General Kenney and his staff were required to develop a new doctrine for airpower employment since the situation in the Southwest Pacific did not lend itself to strategic bombardment of the Japanese industrial web. The research process proved both of these assumptions invalid.

      Study of historical records, personal accounts, and subsequent historical writings in several areas revealed that there was no clear and consistent doctrine for

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