Weapon of Denial: Air Power and the Battle for New Guinea

Abstract

Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commander of Pacific forces in World War II, viewed the Battle of the Bismarck Sea as a disaster for the Japanese and a triumph for the Allies. In that great air-sea confrontation, U.S. and Australian air forces proved that air power could be decisive in preventing the resupply of ground troops by sea. Months of torturous warfare in the jungles of New Guinea had left Japanese troops vulnerable to disease and starvation. In the end, Allied airmen were able to break Japan's grip on New Guinea and end its threat to Australia through the innovative and aggressive use of air power. MacArthur's strength lay in a dedicated and courageous band of airmen who could attack enemy ships from all directions at any time.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA439994

Entities

People

  • Gary Null

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Attack Aircraft
  • Boats
  • Carrier Based Aircraft
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Military History
  • Naval Operations
  • Navy
  • New Guinea
  • Reconnaissance Aircraft
  • Second World War
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies