World War II: Strategy, Operations and Air Power

Intro/Background

• Few events in the history of mankind rival World War II in sheer magnitude. It remains the pinnacle endeavor of the twentieth century. The first half of the century led to it; the second half developed from it. We are still dealing with the effects of it. Military officers will only benefit from its study. Studying World War II continues to provide important lessons in international diplomacy, the effect of domestic politics upon foreign affairs, and the civil-military relationship. While this course will address these important issues, it will be focused on the strategic and operational levels of war and combat. We will look at the emerging doctrine in land, sea and air warfare and its subsequent effect upon major operations. We will specifically focus on the employment of the joint air arm in both strategic and operational warfare. This course will present a backdrop for the discussion of multiple instruments of power in the achievement of national objectives and, more pointedly, the utility of air power in the achievement of those objectives.

Sources

Normandy, June 1944

• USAF History Publications
• World War II Military Situation Maps
• US Army Center for Military History Online Bookshelves:  World War II
• HyperWar - contains many sources, both primary and secondary, in digital format.
• Army Air Force leadership in the Pacific during World War II by David A. Bray, Maj., USAF

       Document call no.: M-U 43122 B8271a

• The Doolittle Raid 1942 : America’s First Strike Back at Japan by Clayton K.S. Chun

       Book call no.: 940.5425 C559d

• Masters of the Air : America’s Bomber Boys who Fought the Air War against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller

       Book call no.: 940.544973 M647m

Ideas for the paper

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• Need to do any interviews for primary sources?