Airpower Employment Of The Fifth Air Force In The World War II Southwest Pacific Theater by Major James A. Barr

Author:Major James A. Barr [Barr, Major James A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782897071
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Verdun Press
Published: 2014-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

The war in the Southwest Pacific followed this pattern for the most part. As MacArthur described the order of battle, “The calculated advance of bomber lines through seizure of forward bases meant that a relatively small force of bombers operating at short and medium ranges could attack under cover of an equally limited fighter force. Each phase of advance had as its objective an airfield which could serve as a steppingstone to the next advance. In addition, as this airline moved forward, naval forces under newly established air cover began to regain the sea lanes, which had been the undisputed arteries of the enemy’s far-flung positions.”{67} Kenney used all of his aircraft in every way imaginable. His lack of large numbers forced him to often use the same aircraft whether the objective was 10 miles away or thousands of miles away. He used fighters to escort military and civilian transport aircraft, and used bombers to transport personnel and materials.{68}

General Kenney best described the operations in 1944 by saying,

“The first step in this advancement of the bomber line is to gain and maintain air control as far into enemy territory as our longest range fighters can reach. Then we put an air blockade around the Jap positions or section of the coast which we want in order to stop him from getting supplies or reinforcements. The bombers then go to work and pulverize his defensive system, methodically taking out his artillery positions, stores, bivouac areas and so on. Finally comes the air cover escorting the amphibious expedition to the landing beach, a last minute blasting and smoking of the enemy beach defenses and the maintenance of strafers and fighters overhead, on call from the surface forces until their beachhead is secured. If emergency supplies are needed we drop them by parachute. The ground troops get a transport field ready as fast as possible so that we can supplement boat supply by cargo carrying airplanes. When necessary, we evacuate the wounded and sick and bring reinforcements in a hurry. The transport field becomes a fighter field, the strafers and finally the heavies arrive and it is time to move forward again.”{69}

The Allies in the Southwest Pacific Area moved northwest conquering New Guinea, New Britain, and the Admiralty Islands in the same manner the Japanese had conquered them in 1941 and 1942. They avoided the Japanese strong points and then isolated the enemy army by cutting their lines of supply. The Allies continued this approach through Sansapor and Morotai all the way to the Philippine islands. The 200-300 mile hops were short as compared to the Central Pacific Theater, and land-based aircraft could usually support them. Two objectives, though, were out of range of land-based aircraft and required carrier-based aircraft for support. Kenney and the naval commanders planned operations for these amphibious landings well, but divided the invasion areas into geographical areas with separate air commanders rather than a single air commander.{70}

The first situation was Hollandia in northwest New Guinea. Operations were successful with light resistance from the enemy.

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