Doctrine - US AAC/AAF on Air Power in WWII

These documents are presented to the reader to provide a general picture of US WWII air operations beyond the biographical "view from the cockpit" by providing a broader picture of the concepts behind specific sorties and to foster a general understanding of air operations from squadron level up.

All documents a re presented "as is". No attempt will be made to put them into historic perspective, analyze their genesis or development or compare them to more modern doctrines. For the interested reader this off-site link provides a short survey on the genesis of US Air doctrine before the war.

For a general insight of  air war planning, visit this resource.

Table of Contents

FIELD MANUAL FM 100-20, Command and Employment of Air Power, War Department, Washington D.C., 21 July 1943

FM 100-20 gives a high level survey on the AAF strategy and doctrine. It is essential for an understanding of Air Operations in the ETO and MTO starting with HUSKY - the invasion of Sicily.

Field Manual FM 1-5, Employment of Aviation of the Army,  War Department, Washington April 15, 1940.

The first of a series of manuals covering the practical application of air power, focusing on bombing and reconnisance aviation and cooperation with ground forces

Army Air Forces Field Manual FM 1-5, Employment of Aviation of the Army,  War Department, Washington 18 January 1943. Supersedes the former.

Air Corps Field Manual FM 1-10, Tactics and Technique of Air Attack, Prepared under the Direction of the Chief of the Air Corps,  War Department, Washington November 20, 1940.

Air Corps Field Manual FM 1-15, Tactics and Technique of Air Fighting, Prepared under the Direction of the Chief of the Air Corps,  War Department, Washington September 9, 1940

The first edition of this manual. Covering the use of "pursuit" aviation.

Army Air Forces Field Manual FM 1-15, Tactics and Technique of Air Fighting, War Department, Washington April 10, 1942 (supercedes the 1940 edition)

The second edition of this manual. Covering the use of "pursuit" aviation.

Army Air Forces Field Manual FM 1-25, Air Defense,  War Department, Washington 15 June 1943

Coordination and command of air defense assets: Fighter, AAA, baloons, command Centers

Army Air Forces Basic Field Manual FM 31-35, Aviation in Support of Ground Forces, War Department, Washington April 9, 1942

Bombardment, Recce, Transport, Chain of Command, Communication

Army Air Forces Field Manual FM 31-35 Air-Ground Operations (August 1946);

Light Bombardment, Fighter Bombers and CAS Missions

Part III:  Other Sources - off site links

The United States Strategic Bombing Survey (European War), September 30, 1945. PDF