Accession Number:

AD1062159

Title:

Air Powers Missed Opportunity: The German Transportation System

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Naval War College Newport United States

Personal Author(s):

• McMorrow,Patrick W

Report Date:

2018-04-27

Pagination or Media Count:

33.0

Abstract:

U.S. and Allied bombing of Germany during World War II affords an invaluable case study in target systems analysis. An examination of the German transportation system reveals that it grew ever-more important within the German war economy. Integral to the German economy from the wars beginning, its importance grew due to German wartime adaptations. Despite this growth of importance, the U.S. and Allies continued to assign it an ever-lower priority. This is attributable to Allied difficulties in collecting and analyzing the German transportation system, as well as operational considerations driving a higher prioritization of other target systems. This case study reveals relevant lessons for modern target system analysts and operational planners

Descriptors:

• case studies
• second world war
• systems analysis
• lessons learned
• military operations
• air power
• targeting
• germany
• transportation
• transportation infrastructure
• economic systems
• rail transportation
• aircraft industry
• electric power production
• bombing
• military planning

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Humanities and History

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE