This research analyzes and assesses the strategy associated with American strategic air operations in Europe during the Second World War. Due to the nature of the combined command structure and combined military operations which characterized Allied actions in the Second World War, it is not possible to completely divorce a discussion of American strategic operations from those of the British.
A conceptual framework based on the principles of war is developed in this research as a basis for the analysis and assessment. Following the presentation of this framework, a background on the Second World War, and a discussion of the factors involved in the development of air strategy is provided as a further basis for the analysis and assessment of the strategic air operations strategy. In the analysis, the strategy is described, both the military and political objectives for which the strategy was developed and implemented are identified, the relationship between the military and political objectives is examined, and the strategy is analyzed and assessed.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSISAND ASSESSMENT
The essential principles of war are surprise, concentration of effort, cooperation of all arms, control, simplicity, speed of action, and maintaining the initiative.1 A protagonist in war is most effective when able to dictate the course of the battle, and is much less effective when forced to react to the actions of an opponent. Surprise and initiative, thus, are essential in the conduct of war. "Strategic surprise may often be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain; but tactical surprise is always possible and must be given an essential place in planning."2 "The initiative, once gained, must never be lost . . . . If you lose the initiative against a good enemy you will very soon be made to his thrusts . . . .3
A principal of strategic war is to strike at an enemy's base.4 Prior to the development of long range air powe...