Strategic Bombing Accroding to Trenchard, Douhet, and Gorrell

1002 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Strategic Bombing Campaign In World War 2

STRATEGIC BOMBING
Strategic bombing is considered one necessity for a nation’s air force to visualize air supremacy during World War I and World War II. Strategic bombing is defined as “striking deep into enemy territory to destroy war-making capabilities.”
Many theorists speculated different ideas on strategic bombing, including Trenchard, Douhet, and Gorrell. Trenchard’s strategic bomb theory was to focus more on attacking German homelands and to target the enemy nation’s morale. Next, Douhet’s theory is based on Total War Concept and targeted German infrastructures. Lastly, Gorrell’s theory using strategic bombs was to mainly focus on one German city at a time.
From WWI, The German Bombing of Britain and the Allied Bombing of Germany both utilized strategic bombing in its attacks. During 1915-1918, Germans conducted bombing raids against, but made no progress when destroying little war making capabilities, and instead strengthened British morale. To retaliate against the Germans, the Allied Powers began the bombings in 1914 by bombing cities and airfields.
From WWII, strategic bombing became more of a major objective. From the Casablanca Conference on January 1943, the Allied Forces showed that the destruction and dislocation of the German military, industrial, and economical system, undermining morale, and destruction of the enemy aircraft industry would help achieve air superiority. As a result, lessons such as targeting the facilities and sources electrical power, terror-bombing civilians was ineffective and did nothing to lower morale, and that bombers needed fighter escorts were learned.
Although it’s negligible outcome on war showed its limit in scope and intensity in World War I, it laid the fundamental foundation ...

... middle of paper ...

... subordinate should report to more than one commander.
This applies to Air, Space and Cyberspace due to the effectiveness and speed one can complete a mission. Without Unity of Command, it would create a confusing, stressful dilemma, which would affect efficiency, time, and productivity of a mission. If a subordinate were under many commanders, the time allocated, for example, of arguing which strategy would be best used for a mission would be more of an obstacle than something productive.
Next, if the goals of both the subordinate and the leader are similar when trying to accomplish a mission, the work environment becomes fast and efficient. Although Air, Space and Cyberspace are somewhat different categories within the U.S. Air Force’s Mission and job validation, Unity of Command would still need to be incorporated into each of them for the Air Force to strive.

Show More
Related

  • Why the Major Cities of Britain were Bombed by the Germans in 1940 and 1941

    373 Words  | 1 Pages

    Why the Major Cities of Britain were Bombed by the Germans in 1940 and 1941

    Read More

  • Marine Raiders Case Study

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 1942, World War II had been raging for three years. The United States of America have declared war upon the Axis powers following the devastating Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor. At this point in the war the Allies are in a grave situation. German forces have pushed the British off mainland Europe, and the Japanese have conquered much of the Pacific region, coming increasingly nearer to the American mainland. In order to combat this rising threat, the American military headship began to search for viable alternatives to replace widely used established tactics. The motive for this search for irregular methods the fact that the Allied forces were not strong enough to meet the Axis powers on a conventional

    Read More

  • Strategic Bombing During World War 2

    4484 Words  | 9 Pages

    The strategic bombing campaign significantly shortened the length of the war. It disabled the production industry and weakened the German morale.

    Read More

  • Why the Major Cities of Britain Were Bombed by the Germans in 1940 - 1941

    1253 Words  | 3 Pages

    Why the Major Cities of Britain Were Bombed by the Germans in 1940 - 1941

    Read More

  • Truman's Blunder: The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb

    1777 Words  | 4 Pages

    One thing is clear; the atomic bomb was not necessary in winning the Pacific war. Nevertheless, the dominant statement in both the Roosevelt and Truman administration was that the bomb would be utilized against the enemy. The bomb functioned with a double role in quickly ending the war and instituting U.S. hegemony worldwide. However, the severe repercussions of the bomb’s utilization are far greater than the weapon’s accomplishment of concluding World War II.

    Read More

  • The Use and Necessity of the Atomic Bomb in World War II

    1775 Words  | 4 Pages

    This investigation focuses on the use and necessity of the atomic bomb in World War II. To what extent did the atomic bomb dropped by the United States during World War II save lives? This will be investigated using websites, books, military accounts, and newspaper articles. Military calculations of what potentially could have happened had the United States invaded Japan instead of dropping the bomb will be researched. Also, information from the Manhattan Project, reinterpretations of the event, and military strategies of several countries will be used. The physical effects of the bomb on the victims will also be considered. Alternate opinions of why the bomb was dropped will be discussed.

    Read More

  • Harry Truman: The Atomic Bomb

    924 Words  | 2 Pages

    Donohue, Nathan. "Understanding the Decision to Drop the Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki." CSIS.org. CSIS Center for Strategic and International Studies, 10 Aug. 2012. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.

    Read More

  • The World War II: Air War

    1189 Words  | 3 Pages

    World War II was one of the deadliest military conflicts in history. There were many different battles that took place within this war; some more important than others. World War II began once Germany’s new dictator, Adolf Hitler, decided that he wanted to gain power for Germany and for himself. One of Hitler’s first moves in power was invading Poland on September 1, 1939. Many other countries became involved in this war because of the alliance system. The two sides during this war were the Allies and Axis powers. German, Italy and Japan were on the Axis powers; France, Britain, and the United States were on the Allies. Germany first began with the Blitzkrieg tactic meaning “lightning war”. This tactic is based on speed, surprise and was the most popular tactic. It is set up with military forces based around tanks which are supported by planes and infantry. The Blitzkrieg tactic lead to air wars with airplanes between countries. All of the countries were allowed to participate in the air wars but the four main countries were United States, Japan, Britain, and Germany. During the 1920’s and 1930’s airplanes grew in size and structure giving them more power, and making planes more effective. Planes made it easier to drop bombs, or plan attacks. All of these countries fought over air superiority. Air superiority is the position in which the air force has control over all of the air warfare and air power of the opposing forces. Germany began with air superiority but they lost it when Britain defeated them at the Battle of Britain. Gaining control over the air is a very big advantage because it is easier to plan an attack on an opposing country. All of the countries relied on their aircrafts during this war. The issue about the use of...

    Read More

  • Propaganda Effects of World War One

    3318 Words  | 7 Pages

    Historians generally refer to WWI as the first 'total war'. It was the first conflict in which modern industrialized societies mobilized their complete economic, technological and psychological resources in order to wage war. Unlike earlier wars, which involved relatively small numbers of soldiers on the battlefield, it affected many aspects of the lives of civilian populations and demanded enormous sacrifices and support from them. Mobilization of the home front was crucial to achieving military victory. Some of the main aspects of Total War include conscription of men into the armed services, increased government control of the economy and daily lives of citizens and subsequent loss of personal liberty. Control of the labor force, physical safety and security of civilian populations threatene...

    Read More

  • The Impact of Bombing During World War II

    5462 Words  | 11 Pages

    The Impact of Bombing During World War II “Of course, the air raids caused much suffering and hardship. In the

    Read More

  • Essay On The Atomic Bomb

    1722 Words  | 4 Pages

    World War II brought up many new technologies for warfare. Advanced on existing developments such as weaponry, ships, vehicles air crafts, navigational devices and medicine are just a few broad examples of developments in warfare during this time in United States and World history. One development, however, changed the entire way of warfare. The Atomic bomb was developed during this time out of fears that the Germans had the same technologies, or at least were working to obtain it. Once the United States had this technological capability of producing atomic weapons, the way of fighting was changed. Two bombs were dropped on Japan in August of 1945, one on the city of Hiroshima and the other on the city of Nagasaki. Afterward, the ear of atomic diplomacy came up in American international relations, which as we have seen today, has led to the development of even stronger, more deadly weaponry and bombs. The bombing of Japan also brings up the still prevalent debate of whether the bombings were justifiable or not. Historians Gar Alperovitz, Robert P. Newman and Barton Bernstein all have written essays expressing their opinions in the matter.

    Read More

  • Impact of the Manhattan Project

    505 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although nuclear technology can be used for good, it can also be used for destruction. One example of this was the bombing of 2 Japanese cities using the a...

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast World War 1 And Ww2

    1074 Words  | 3 Pages

    While the aircraft was used in WWI, it did not become a major part of fighting until WWII. This weapon created another level of fighting in the air that included bombers, fighters, radar, and the ability to assess the enemy from above. The bomb raids were alternatives to static trench warfare and aircraft weaponry allowed the troops to attack the enemy from above which was the upper hand in fighting battles. The increased amount of bombing increased the need to improve the radar technology. The radar that was previously being used was inaccurate and not very useful; but with the improvements, the military was able to see enemy ships or submarines and fight back. One of the biggest elements that made World War Two more significant than World War One was the use of Nuclear Warfare. The United States dropped the world 's first deployed atomic bomb over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and the another bomb over Nagasaki three days later. The Japanese quickly surrendered from the war and thus led to the end of World War Two. America dropping the atomic bomb showed the world how big of a threat the United States is, especially to Russia which was another big nation at the time. The atomic bomb created terror and panic in everyone’s eyes with the fear of mass

    Read More

  • Building A Cohesive Team Through Mutual Trust

    927 Words  | 2 Pages

    The most effective commanders through their leadership build cohesive teams. Mutual trust, shared understanding, and accepting prudent risk serve as just a few principles for mission command. Mutual trust is the foundation of any successful professional relationship that a commander shares with his staff and subordinates. The shared understanding of an operational environment functions, as the basis for the commander to effectively accomplish the mission. While my advice for the commander on what prudent risks to take may create more opportunities rather than accepting defeat. Incorporating the principles of mission command by building cohesive teams through mutual trust, fostering an environment of shared understanding, and accepting prudent risk will make me an effective adviser to the commander, aid the staff during the operations process, and provide an example for Soldiers to emulate.

    Read More

  • The Strategic Bombing Campaign Of WWII

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    The strategic bombing campaigns of WWII were carried out in hopes that they would bring a swift end to the war. Some of the capaigns were not as effective as they hoped them to be. But they still dealt a psychological blow to the German people. they also assisted in operations carried out by ground forces such as the combined effort on the beaches on D-day. They also brought about the swift ending oft he war in the pacific theatre.

    Read More

More about Strategic Bombing Accroding to Trenchard, Douhet, and Gorrell

Open Document