Strategy, World War II, European, National & International Security, Military, Political Science 

Cass series--studies in air power, 1368-5597 ; 6 

This work is a study close air support within the historical contest of the second world War, with the analysis focusing upon the use of tactical air power by British and American force during the campaigns in Italy and Northwest Europe in 1943-45 Ian Gooderson addresses the fundamental questions of whether the employment of air resources in the close support role provided sufficient advantage at the battlefront to justify the expenditure of effort and the risk to aircraft and pilots, and whether air support proved to be of more value - and more cost effective - when directed upon interdiction targets behind the lines, such as German communications, transport and supplies.

The principal sources consulted were contemporary Army and Air Force formation and unit records and reports, and contemporary Allied Operational Research material. The book examines the nature of Operational Research in the period, the joint Air Force/Army systems established by both the British and Americans for providing and controlling air support, the characteristics of fighter-bomber aircraft and the organization and tactics of fighter-bomber units. This precedes an analysis of close air support for mobile and airborne operations, the employment of fighter-bombers against German armored forces, the use of heavy and medium bombers in the close support role, the comparative effectiveness of fighter-bombers and ground artillery and the effectiveness of fighter-bombers in the interdiction role.
Ian Gooderson contents that close air support did undoubtedly provide certain important advantages. However these became apparent as a result of the allies possessing sufficient aircraft and pilot. Had resources been fewer, the advantage provided by close air support would not have been in themselves sufficient justification for diminishing the tactical air offensive against interdiction targets, or the strategic air offensive against Germany.







 

CONTENT
- List of Illustrations ix
- List of Tables and Diagrams xi
- Editor's Foreward xiii
- Acknowledgements xiv
- Glossary xv
- Introduction................................................................................P. 1
1. Operation Research.....................................................................P. 6
2. Flawed Instruments: The Allied Air Support Systems, 1943- 45..........P 22
3. The Fighters - Bomber Weapon, 1943 - 45.......................................P.57
4. The Flying Spearhead: Close Support for Allied Mobile
an Airborne Realities..........................................................................P 84
5. Allied Fighter - Bombers Versus German Armored Forces:
Myths and Realities..........................................................................P.103
6. Heavy and Medium Bombers in the Close Support Role......................P. 125
7. Fighters-Bombers and Artillery: A Comparison of Effectiveness...........P. 165
8. The Cost Effectiveness of Close Air Support: A Comparison with Armed Reconnaissance.................................................................................P. 199
9. Conclusion.................................................................................P.227
- Appendices:
- Dive Bombing Attack where Flak is Light (Diagram III, Chapter 3).......P.248
- Dive Bombing Attack where Flak is Intense (Diagram IV Chapter 3)..... P.249
- Allied Fighters-Bomber Versus German Armored Forces (Chapter 5)....P.250
- Heavy and Medium Bombers in the Close Support Role (Chapter 8)........P.251
- Note on Source Material....................................................................P. 253
- Bibliography.....................................................................................P. 265
- Index...............................................................................................P. 275