Optimizing WWII Air Power Strategies: A Modern Commander’s Perspective

The strategic bombing campaigns of World War II, especially the use of Anglo-American air power, offer valuable lessons for modern warfare. In this article, we will explore how a modern commander might have better used strategic bombers, with a particular focus on targeting the German power grid and Auschwitz, to achieve more significant and humane outcomes.

The Impact of Targeting the German Power Grid

A modern commander might have recognized the critical vulnerability of the German electrical power grid during the war. By systematically targeting this infrastructure, the commander could have crippled German industrial production, despite the power grid’s resilience and the resilience of German industry in 1944. It has been estimated that such an attack could have shortened the war by a year. The shockingly vulnerable nature of the German power grid highlights the strategic importance of targeting key industrial and infrastructure targets to halt the war swiftly and humanely.

Focusing on Auschwitz: A Path to Preventing Mass Murder

A modern commander would likely have implemented a more targeted and ethical approach to air operations. One of the most significant oversights was the failure to bomb the railway lines leading to Auschwitz. A contemporary commander, with the benefit of hindsight, would have recognized the critical transport systems and railheads used to move Jews to the camps, and targeted them accordingly. This could have significantly inhibited the Nazi regime’s ability to carry out mass murder.

Furthermore, a modern commander might have considered a surgical strike on the gas chambers and crematoria at Auschwitz. While such an attack would inevitably result in the deaths of some innocent inmates, it could have disrupted the industrial scale of the Nazi operation. By inhibiting the killing process, any disruption or delay would potentially save countless lives in the long run. The RAF had already demonstrated the capability to target specific locations with precision, as evidenced by their successful raids on the Ameins prison during Operation Jericho starting from May 1944.

Strategic Bombing in the context of WWII

While modern strategies and tactics could have improved specific operations, the overall approach to strategic bombing in World War II remained largely the same. The lack of significant technological changes since then means that the essence of air power strategy and operations remained consistent. The Dambusters raid, for example, while boosting British morale, did not achieve its intended goals and led to the drowning of many Allied POWs. A modern commander would likely recommend against such actions, not because the strategy is flawed, but to avoid repeating historical mistakes. However, this is not a lack of strategic thinking but an application of foresight.

The biggest change since WWII in military strategy is perhaps the focus on training and the volunteer nature of modern militaries. The US and UK, in particular, have all-volunteer forces with extensive training. This modern approach to military training and deployment might be useful in certain scenarios but would not fundamentally change the strategic bombing approach used in WWII. Instead, the focus would be on enhancing precision and minimizing collateral damage while still achieving the strategic objectives.

Ultimately, a modern commander’s strategy would build upon the lessons learned from WWII, focusing on precision, ethics, and minimizing harm. By targeting critical infrastructure and strategic points with precision, rather than engaging in mass bombings without clear objectives, a modern commander could have achieved more significant and humane outcomes during the war.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the fundamental principles of strategic bombing remained consistent, a modern commander with the benefit of hindsight could have made significant improvements. Targeting the infrastructure and transport systems used by the Nazis would have disrupted their operations, reducing the scale of the Holocaust. By combining precision and ethical considerations, a modern commander could have optimized the use of Anglo-American WWII air power to achieve more humane and effective outcomes.

Keywords

WWII air power, strategic bombers, Auschwitz bombing