Editorial: American bombing policy
The most controversial phase of this war is aviation’s role in it. This involves not only the strategy to be employed in the air and the importance of this newest arm of the service as compared with the older branches but also the detailed issues such as most efficient types of planes, their speeds and modes of fighting.
Among these is the question as to whether the U.S. Air Force should continue its high-level precision daylight bombings or change its planes so they can be used in mass night bombings. And that is one of the main points debated in Allan A. Michie’s new book The Air Offensive Against Germany which now is so much discussed.
Mr. Michie makes a completely convincing case that the way to victory is by the air through terrific and ceaseless bombings. This is to prepare the way for the inevitable invasion when land armies, with the air arm. will clinch the victory. He does no theorizing about winning the war in the air alone.
But in spite of the fact that he is persuasive also in advocating changes in the types of planes we are now turning out, and changes in the use we make of our existing air fleets, and no matter how well informed the writer is, the competence of our Air Force must be conceded. And its offices make a strong case, too, in behalf of present types and methods.
No longer is it a question of being air-minded and abreast of the time in that field. That point has been passed. It is now a question for technicians familiar with the demands of modern fighting. In the last analysis that is where decisions must be reached on questions of this sort.