The Role of Airpower in the Overlord Invasion: An Effects-based Operation
Abstract
Conventional wisdom has long held that the strategic airpower supporting the Normandy landings on D-Day was generally ineffective. Time and again, the OVERLORD researcher is told that the Eighth Air Force failed to provide the landing troops, particularly on Omaha Beach, with any significant support in establishing the beachhead. The eminent Max Hastings, in his outstanding book "Overlord", opines that air power was "unable to inflict significant damage upon German defensive positions to offer the Allied armies anywhere an easy passage..." Similarly, Adrian Lewis agrees: "To this list of battles with disappointing applications of strategic air power at the tactical level of war can be added the Normandy Invasion." However, in light of both a detailed examination of what was asked of the American air forces by the OVERLORD plans, and in consideration of modern ideas about effects-based operations, it is perhaps time to re-examine the role played by the Army Air Forces in the success of that critical day of 6 June 1944.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA471896
Entities
People
- Michael P. Dahlstrom
Organizations
- Air University