CH 3- Devoid of human sympathy

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Questions and Answers

What initial reaction did the British authorities observe among the public during the Blitz?

They observed not just courage, but also a sense of indifference.

What was the misleading term used by area-bombing advocates to describe the impact of bombing?

They used the term 'dehousing'.

What is historian Tami Biddle's view on the effects of coercive bombing on target states?

She believes that target states find ways of absorbing punishment if they are determined.

What does the overall behavior of the British population during the Blitz suggest about their character?

It suggests that they were tougher and more resilient than expected. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Bomber Mafia's strategy for crippling an enemy's will during warfare?

The Bomber Mafia believed in economically crippling the enemy by targeting vital infrastructure like aqueducts and propeller-spring factories. Signup and view all the answers

How did the British view the concept of area bombing and what was the word or expression they used to describe it?

The British viewed area bombing as a strategy that involved targeting everything (homes & infrastructure) indiscriminately to weaken the enemy's morale (bombing). Signup and view all the answers

What was General Arnold's decision regarding bombing strategies, and how did Ira Eaker respond?

General Arnold decided to adopt the British strategy of area bombing, but Ira Eaker refused, citing the risks of night bombing. Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did the British have toward the American Bomber Mafia's approach to bombing?

The British criticized the Bomber Mafia for their daytime bombing strategy, which they believed was ineffective and overly cautious. Signup and view all the answers

What risk did Ira Eaker associate with transitioning to a night bombing strategy?

Eaker associated a higher risk of losing more crews during nighttime operations due to poor visibility and unfamiliarity. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Bomber Mafia's philosophy differ from the British approach to air warfare?

The Bomber Mafia focused on precision bombing with specific targets, while the British favored broad, indiscriminate area bombing. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of area bombing according to the British perspective?

The primary goal of area bombing was to undermine the enemy's morale by destroying civilian infrastructure and homes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main difference between Ira Eaker and Arthur Harris's bombing doctrines?

Eaker and Harris had completely opposite doctrines of bombing, with Eaker opposing the area bombing strategy that Harris advocated. Signup and view all the answers

What did Arthur Harris propose for Ira Eaker in the event of his and his wife's demise?

Harris expressed a desire for Eaker to be the godfather of his daughter, Jackie. Signup and view all the answers

How did the British population react to the Blitz according to government projections?

The British government projected that between three and four million Londoners would flee the city due to panic. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant effects of the Blitz on the British population's morale?

Despite the bombings, the British population showed resilience, demonstrating their ability to recover and continue rather than succumbing to panic. Signup and view all the answers

What led the British government to take over psychiatric hospitals during the Blitz?

The government anticipated a flood of psychological casualties due to the bombings and prepared to manage potential panic. Signup and view all the answers

What theory did Hitler believe regarding the impact of bombing on the British population?

Hitler believed that bombing working-class neighborhoods would break the will of the British population. Signup and view all the answers

How did the experience of the Blitz contrast with the British government's expectations?

Contrary to expectations, the Blitz did not induce mass panic among Londoners, who showed resilience instead. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'London raises her head' signify about the city's response to the Blitz?

It signifies London's resilience and ability to recover from destruction, portraying its spirit as a fighter. Signup and view all the answers

How did Commanding General Ira Eaker justify the development of bombing accuracy?

Eaker believed that better bombing accuracy would save lives by targeting machines of war rather than civilians. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal behind Eaker's philosophy of war?

The primary goal was to destroy war machinery without harming innocent civilians. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Eaker task with creating a new air war strategy for Europe?

Eaker chose General Haywood Hansell to develop the new plan for the air war in Europe. Signup and view all the answers

What event does the midnight trip to Casablanca represent in Eaker's career?

It is described as the most morally consequential act of his life. Signup and view all the answers

What contrast does Eaker’s strategy emphasize compared to World War I?

Eaker's strategy emphasized precision and minimizing civilian casualties, unlike the mass slaughter common in World War I. Signup and view all the answers

How did Lindemann's personality differ from typical English characteristics?

Lindemann was described as heavy-featured and pallid, resembling a central European businessman rather than an Englishman. Signup and view all the answers

What was Lindemann's belief regarding the bombing strategy in war?

He believed in destroying machines of war rather than targeting the people involved in the war. Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Commanding General Ira Eaker take during World War II?

Eaker made a pivotal trip to Casablanca to advocate for precision bombing as a preferable strategy in the air war. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Eaker assign to develop a new air war plan, and what was his background?

Eaker picked Haywood Hansell, who was considered one of the brightest young officers in the US Army Air Forces. Signup and view all the answers

What moral concern did the Bomber Mafia have regarding civilian casualties?

They argued against blurring the line between targeting soldiers and harming civilians, emphasizing moral warfare conduct. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Carl Norden play in the development of bombing strategies?

Carl Norden was known as the godfather of precision bombing, highlighting his contributions to the technology of air warfare. Signup and view all the answers

How did the view of munitions workers in the Bomber Mafia's perspective affect their approach to war?

They believed that munitions workers should be treated as active soldiers, reinforcing their argument against indiscriminate bombing. Signup and view all the answers

What broader philosophical argument did the Bomber Mafia aim to promote?

They sought to advance both a technological and a moral argument for how to wage war, focusing on precision and the protection of civilians. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bomber Mafia vs. Area Bombing

The Bomber Mafia believed in strategic bombing to cripple the enemy's economy and infrastructure, arguing that this would limit civilian casualties
The British favoured "area bombing," indiscriminately targeting cities and relying on the psychological impact to weaken enemy morale

Casablanca Conference

The British, led by Churchill, pressured the Americans to adopt area bombing
General Arnold, pressured by Churchill, ordered General Ira Eaker to implement area bombing

Ira Eaker's Resistance & The Blitz

Eaker, a member of the Bomber Mafia, opposed area bombing, citing inadequacies in American equipment and training for night missions
Eaker and Arthur Harris, British head of Bomber Command, had conflicting bombing philosophies yet became close friends

The London Blitz & its Unexpected Outcome

The Blitz, a German campaign of area bombing on London, was initially anticipated to break British morale
The British populace exhibited resilience and even indifference to the bombing, contrary to expectations

Effects of Area Bombing

The unexpected resilience of civilians challenged area bombing's effectiveness in breaking morale
Area bombing strategies, intended to dehouse the enemy, could inadvertently strengthen their dependence on their governments

Carl Norden & Precision Bombing

Carl Norden, a devout Christian, developed a precision bombing sight, believing it would save lives by minimizing civilian casualties
Norden believed in targeting military infrastructure and avoiding civilian harm, aligning with the Bomber Mafia's philosophy

The Moral Argument Against Area Bombing

The Bomber Mafia argued that area bombing crossed a moral line by equating civilian populations with soldiers
Their focus on precision was driven by both technological and moral considerations

The Enduring Legacy of the Bomber Mafia

Eaker, upon returning from Casablanca, sought to replace the area bombing strategy with a new precision bombing plan
His choice for this plan, Haywood Hansell, would later be replaced by Curtis LeMay

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Description

Explore the contrasting perspectives of the Bomber Mafia and British strategists regarding area bombing during World War II. Delve into key events like the Casablanca Conference and the London Blitz, highlighting differing philosophies and their implications on warfare strategies. Understand the debates between strategic and area bombing and their impacts on morale and military outcomes.