Military Strategy of General Curtis LeMay
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Questions and Answers

What approach did Major General Curtis LeMay take when he first arrived in the Marianas?

  • He expressed dissatisfaction with the Navy's construction efforts. (correct)
  • He focused on maintaining continuity with Hansell's methods.
  • He immediately developed a fixed bombing strategy.
  • He sought to improve the military infrastructure. (correct)

Which significant obstacle did LeMay encounter while trying to execute his bombing missions?

  • Ineffectiveness of the bombing strategy.
  • Lack of aircraft availability.
  • Inability to hit targets due to environmental factors. (correct)
  • Limited support from Admiral Nimitz.

How did Admiral Nimitz respond to LeMay's dinner invitation?

  • He understood LeMay's point about the military facilities. (correct)
  • He offered to send additional food supplies.
  • He was impressed by the Quonset hut setting.
  • He declined the invitation.

What specific target did LeMay initially focus on for bombing missions?

<p>The Nakajima aircraft plant in Tokyo. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did LeMay conclude about Hansell's previous missions?

<p>They indicated a need for new strategies. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of LeMay's main concerns that led to changes in the bombing strategy?

<p>Weather conditions limited the number of clear days for bombing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What altitude did LeMay decide to have his bombers fly during bombing runs?

<p>Between 5,000 and 9,000 feet (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did LeMay plan to overcome the challenges of visual bombing?

<p>By conducting raids at night (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the general reaction of the audience when LeMay announced changes to the bombing strategy?

<p>They gasped in disbelief. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor that influenced LeMay's decision to change to night raids?

<p>Fear of increased losses during daylight raids (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant concern for Haywood Hansell regarding General LeMay's approach to low-level flight?

<p>It posed a risk due to inadequate knowledge of antiaircraft defenses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of General LeMay's low-level bombing strategy on the cities of Japan?

<p>It burned down a significant percentage of many cities. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did General LeMay justify his aggressive bombing strategy?

<p>His goal was to achieve immediate results or risk losing his position. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What led to Haywood Hansell's exit from command?

<p>He was not achieving desired military results. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Toyama was destroyed due to the bombing campaign led by LeMay?

<p>99 percent (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

LeMay's dissatisfaction with Marianas infrastructure

Major General LeMay, upon taking command, found the military facilities in the Marianas inadequate, criticizing their primitive nature, believing the facilities were unsuitable for operations.

LeMay's differing approach to Hansell

Unlike his predecessor, Haywood Hansell, who was inflexible and principled, LeMay was adaptable and open-minded, willing to alter strategies as necessary.

LeMay's initial bombing strategy failure

LeMay's first bombing missions against the Nakajima aircraft plant in Tokyo, despite deploying numerous B-29s, failed to destroy the plant, mirroring the failures of his predecessor.

Impact of the jet stream on bombing missions

The jet stream, an uncontrollable force, presented an obstacle to bombing missions, frustrating LeMay’s attempts to precisely target and destroy key Japanese facilities.

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Impact of Nimitz's visit on LeMay's strategy

Admiral Nimitz's visit with LeMay, initially designed to critique the facilities, ended in an understanding from Nimitz and leading to an increase in materials for the improvement of facilities.

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LeMay's bombing strategy

A strategy to bomb Japan by flying B-29 bombers under the jet stream, through clouds, at low altitudes, and at night, rather than high altitude, daylight precision bombing.

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Precision bombing doctrine

Bombing strategy which requires high-altitude daylight bombing runs to accurately target enemies due to the necessity of clear skies and sight of the target.

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Night bombing

LeMay realized he needed to bomb at night, given the low altitude and the need to avoid enemy air defenses.

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Weather dependence

The constraint in bombing operations that relied heavily on the weather conditions being suitable for visual bombing operations, particularly in targeting Japan.

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Low-altitude bombing

Bombing strategy in which the B-29 bombers flew at lower altitudes to avoid enemy fire and to bomb under clouds

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LeMay's low-altitude bombing plan

LeMay chose to bomb Japanese cities at extremely low altitudes (5,000 feet) to overwhelm Japanese anti-aircraft defenses.

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LeMay's decision-making

General Curtis LeMay made the crucial decision to use low-altitude bombing tactics without sufficient knowledge of the enemy's defenses, even though he faced potential mutiny and criticisms.

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Tokyo firebombing impact

The firebombing of Tokyo devastated many cities and caused significant casualties, burning down large portions of multiple cities.

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Japanese Cities Targeted

LeMay's bombing campaign in Japan encompassed multiple urban areas resulting substantial destruction, totaling approximately 67 cities.

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Casualties from bombing raids

The exact number of Japanese casualties from the bombing raids was exceptionally high and could be between half a million or a million.

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Study Notes

Military Historian Conrad Crane on Major General Curtis LeMay

  • LeMay took command of the Twenty-First Bomber Command in January 1945.
  • LeMay initially disagreed with the Navy's facilities in the Marianas.
  • He observed a lavish dinner with Admiral Nimitz, highlighting a stark contrast in conditions.
  • LeMay implemented a revised bombing strategy, targeting the Nakajima aircraft plant in Tokyo.
  • LeMay disagreed with and revised Hansell's strategy, due to military facilities, weather, and other obstacles.

LeMay's Strategy Revisions

  • LeMay prioritized addressing weather conditions, particularly jet streams and heavy cloud cover, influencing tactics.
  • He moved to lower altitudes and night raids to avoid Japanese air defenses.
  • Precision bombing was abandoned in favor of wider attacks (to increase impact) to achieve results.
  • He employed incendiary weapons (napalm).
  • LeMay's revision focused on exploiting weaknesses including the infrastructure and personnel, and weather conditions.

LeMay's Attack on Tokyo

  • LeMay's first major attack on Tokyo occurred in March 1945.
  • LeMay's attack involved hundreds of B-29 bombers.
  • The attack used napalm bombs causing a widespread firestorm.
  • LeMay's prioritized and revised strategy was remarkably successful, despite initial resistance.
  • The attack led to significant destruction.

LeMay's Legacy and Tactics

  • LeMay's approach was criticized by some, highlighting potential moral dilemmas.
  • LeMay's approach was viewed by others as an essential tactic.
  • LeMay believed in maximizing efficiency through speed and volume.
  • LeMay stressed speed over targeting and focused on the sheer volume of attacks.
  • LeMay and others in his generation viewed war as fundamentally a matter of efficiency and speed. Historians and military experts differ on whether LeMay engaged in unethical and overly destructive practices.

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Description

Explore the pivotal changes made by Major General Curtis LeMay during World War II as he took command of the Twenty-First Bomber Command. Understand his strategies regarding bombing tactics, as well as his adjustments based on weather conditions and military facilities. This quiz delves into his impact on aerial warfare and his controversial tactics.

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