American Airborne Operations in the Pacific Theater: Extending Operational Reach and Creating Operational Shock

Abstract

This monograph utilizes the case study method to analyze three of the seven U.S. airborne operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II: the 503D Parachute Infantry Regiment's seizure of Nadzab airfield in New Guinea, the 11th Airborne Division's seizure of Tagaytay Ridge in the Philippines, and the 503D Parachute Infantry Regiment's seizure of Corregidor in the Philippines. The intent of this monograph is to demonstrate how these airborne operations extended operational reach by introducing combat elements from outside the area of operations, opening logistical lines of communication, forward positioning of indirect fire assets, and capturing key terrain. In addition, Allied airborne operations created operational shock by incorporating a third dimension to combat operations, facilitated by dropping large masses of paratroopers in minimal time.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 22, 2014
Accession Number
ADA612241

Entities

People

  • Matthew A. Sweeney

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Artillery
  • Case Studies
  • Combat Operations
  • Indirect Fire
  • Landing Craft
  • Marine Transportation
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • New Guinea
  • Ridges
  • Second World War
  • Terrain
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerial Delivery - Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies