Happy 250th anniversary to the U.S. Army!
I must admit, I had not really planned anything special for today. Then I was bombarded with the tiresome “No King” protest inanity promoted by the Democrats and supported by leftists, wokeists, and TDS-sufferers. So, here I am, with a special post to share to commemorate the occasion and to celebrate American achievement.
When my son first attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, I first learned about the origins of the US Air Force (USAF), the “Bomber Mafia”, and the role of General Curtis LeMay in implementing strategic bombing. It seems appropriate to reflect upon the origins of this branch during today’s festivities.
The United States Air Force (USAF) traces its origins to early 20th-century military aviation, beginning with the U.S. Army Signal Corps’ establishment of an Aeronautical Division in 1907, to oversee military ballooning and air machines. Over the following decades, the Army’s air arm evolved through several organizational changes (most notably as the Army Air Service in World War I and the Army Air Corps).
During World War II, the Army Air Forces (AAF) became a nearly autonomous branch within the Army. Leaders like General Henry “Hap” Arnold wielded significant influence and resources during the war. After the conclusion of that war, the AAF ultimately morphed into the USAF, which was officially established as an independent branch of the U.S. military by the National Security Act of 1947, and the personnel from the AAF were formally transferred to the new Department of the Air Force.
“The Bomber Mafia” was one of the most intriguing books I read during this time, and it focuses on the transitions from how people thought air power would be used before World War II and how it actually came to be used. The “Bomber Mafia” refers to a close-knit group of American military officers who, in the decades before and during World War II, strongly believed that long-range heavy bomber aircraft could decisively win wars through precision bombing of key enemy targets. This group was centered at the Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS) in Alabama and included influential figures such as Major General Haywood S. Hansell.
The Bomber Mafia argued that targeting critical industrial and transportation hubs (so-called “choke points”) from high altitude and in daylight could cripple an enemy’s economy and war-making capacity, potentially ending wars more quickly and with less bloodshed than traditional ground combat. Hansell, the leader of the Bomber Mafia, championed precision bombing as a humane and effective strategy when he led the air forces during World War II.
In practice, the Bomber Mafia’s vision of precision bombing was not achieved during World War II due to technological limitations, poor weather, and effective enemy defenses. Hansell’s campaign over Japan was ultimately deemed unsuccessful by his superiors due to a lack of decisive results, and he was replaced by General Curtis LeMay, who shifted to nighttime firebombing tactics paired with the use of napalm, which had been created by Harvard University chemists.
LeMay was the architect of the devastating firebombing campaign against Japanese cities, most notably the firebombing of Tokyo in March 1945, which killed approximately 100,000 people and destroyed vast swaths of the city. Throughout the spring and summer of 1945, his B-29 bombers continued relentless nighttime incendiary raids, targeting urban industrial centers and effectively destroying much of Japan’s war industry and infrastructure.
By the time of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945), LeMay was commanding all strategic air operations against the Japanese home islands. The preparations for these atomic attacks were carried out under his overall command, and the same B-29 units he led were used for both the firebombing and atomic missions.
After the war, LeMay held key positions in the newly created USAF. He served as the head of research and development, then commanded U.S. air forces in Europe during the early Cold War, where he initiated the Berlin Airlift in 1948. His most significant contribution, however, was as commander of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) from 1948 to 1957.
LeMay transformed SAC into a highly disciplined, always-ready nuclear strike force, building new bases, expanding training, and instituting rigorous standards for personnel and equipment. LeMay’s leadership was marked by his insistence on constant readiness and his belief that airpower and nuclear deterrence were essential to preventing war with the Soviet Union.
More here, for those of you interested.
Once again, happy anniversary to the US Army. I am looking forward to watching the livestream of the parade!
Image by perplexity.ai.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY