AIR OPERATIONS IN THE JAPANESE THEATER
In accordance with the agreed general strategy of the United
Nations, the air operations contemplated in the Japanese Theater in
1943 and early 1944 are in pursuit of the Strategic Defensive.
However, it is appreciated that some limited offensive operations are
necessary in order to gain base areas suitable for the ultimate
offensive against Japan.
The reopening of the Burma road is also recognised as a proper
necessary step in sustaining China. There is also a recognised need
for land-based aviation for the defense of Alaska, the Island Chain
to Australia, and Australia itself. Hence provision is made for all
the land-based medium and heavy bombers considered necessary for the
air support of the U.S. Navy and Army in the conduct of amphibious
operations from Australia as a base, for the support of United
Nations land forces operating from India and China as bases, and for
the defense of Alaska. Hawaii, the Island Chain, and Australia.
Adequate fighter forces (land-based) are also provided. It is
anticipated that considerable land-based dive bomber forces will be
provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, and that adequate carrier forces
will be provided by the U.S. Navy.
North Pacific
The air forces in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands are primarily
for defensive operations. A strong reconnaissance unit for employment
over the water has been provided and a striking force of heavy and
medium bombardment is made available to attack any targets located. A
single fighter group to furnish defense for the key bases is also
provided. One transport group is required to insure that
communications are maintained. The weather in this theater is
definitely a limiting factor and seriously curtails operations.
Central Pacific
(Includes Midway, Hawaiian Islands, Johnston, Palmyra
and Christmas)
Hawaii is the main base of the U.S. Fleet west of the continental
United States and its security is of primary importance. For this
reason a strong air force balanced between local defense forces and
reconnaissance and striking units has been provided. The necessity
for insuring the security of the advanced base at Midway and of the
islands on the line of communication to Australia also demands a
considerable force for these bases. Some aircraft for the direct
support of the ground forces has been included in order that these
ground units may operate at maximum efficiency. A part of the long
range aircraft of this area are considered as available to support
the North and South Pacific.
South Pacific
(Includes Canton, Bora Bora, Tutuila, Upolu, Savaii,
Wallis, Viti Levu, Tonga Tabu,
New Caledonia, Efate, Espiritu
Santu, Guadalcanal, New Zealand)
If the line of communication from Hawaii to Australia is to be
maintained, the individual bases scattered from the equator near
Christmas Island to New Caledonia must be retained. To accomplish
this purpose, air forces of two types have been supplied, first,
local forces to provide fighter protection, short range
reconnaissance, and close support bombing; second, a long range,
mobile force capable of moving rapidly along the island chain to
search out and attack in some strength any enemy units which may
threaten our lines of communication.
These long range forces obviously serve to supplement our naval
surface forces in the area and form a reserve for employment in the
Central or Southwest Pacific.
Southwest Pacific
In this area it is necessary to provide an air force for defensive
as well as for offensive operations. Contact with the enemy is
continuous and the enemy is especially active. Units have been
provided for a local defense at several points, for direct support of
the ground forces, for direct support of naval forces and for
operations of strategic nature. In addition the extremely long
distances involved and scarcity of surface transportation make
communication and supply such a major problem that a large number of
transport aircraft have been furnished. Shortage of air base
facilities at the proper places will limit the number of aircraft
that can be brought to bear on the enemy. However, since the action
is continuous it is believed advisable to provide sufficient units to
permit relief and rotation of organisations at frequent intervals.
Logistic difficulties will develop due to distance from supply
sources but these will have to be overcome by use of air transport
and by construction of supply depots where required.
Pacific Attack Forces
For the seizure of air and naval bases and for support of surface
forces, particularly of the naval forces, a mobile organisation is
required. Such a requirement has been set up by the U.S. Navy in its
plans for April 1944. The Heavy and Medium bombers needed for this
force are provided by the Army Air Forces.
India - Burma - China - Ceylon
In this theater operation will be jointly conducted by the British
and Chinese ground forces with the possible assistance of a small
contingent of U.S. Army troops. Air support will come principally
from the U.S. and British air units with a small amount of aid from
the Chinese Air Force. A major ground effort is required to reopen
the Burma Road and adequate air support is mandatory. In view of the
difficult terrain and lack of communications, great dependence must
be placed in air transport.
Eastern Siberia
The availability of Eastern Siberia as a base is highly
questionable. However, the forces required there should be provided
for, in case it does become possible to exploit such an advantage.
Eastern Siberia is suitable as an air base for strategic bombing of
Japan. The offensive portion of this force is covered elsewhere in
the paper but it will be necessary to move in a ground and air
defensive force capable of supporting the strategic bombardment
units. For this reason air units should be prepared to exploit this
advantage of position. Japanese retaliatory measures, both ground and
air may be expected and the Joint U.S. and Russian forces must be
strong enough to prevent loss of the air bases within range of
Honshu. A maximum amount of air transport must be furnished to insure
logistic support. Since Russian forces will probably fight alongside
the U.S. troops and form the bulk of the ground forces, and since
supply of aircraft from European sources will no doubt be severed, we
must plan to provide all the aircraft to be used in this theater.
AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS
|
North Pacific
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Heavy bombers
|
48
|
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
32
|
|
|
Fighters Day Single Seat
|
100
|
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Medium
|
|
72
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 1 Eng
Incl VSO
|
|
24
|
|
Transports
|
52
|
|
|
Total
|
232
|
96
|
|
Central Pacific
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Heavy Bombers
|
96
|
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
64
|
|
|
Light Bombers
|
|
48
|
|
Scout Dive Bombers
|
72
|
42
|
|
Observation
|
126
|
|
|
Fighters Day Single Seat
|
350
|
72
|
|
Fighters Night Multiseat
|
|
12
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Heavy
|
|
72
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Medium
|
|
24
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 2 Eng
|
|
24
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 1 Eng
Incl VSO
|
|
30
|
|
Transport
|
52
|
12
|
|
Total
|
760
|
336
|
|
South Pacific
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
U.S. Navy
|
RNZAF
|
|
Heavy Bombers
|
48
|
|
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
16
|
|
|
|
Light Bombers
|
|
24
|
|
|
Scout/Dive Bombers
|
96
|
40
|
40
|
|
Observation Army and Fleet Coop
|
42
|
|
72
|
|
Fighters Day Single Seat
|
300
|
72
|
126
|
|
Fighters Night Multiseat
|
|
12
|
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Heavy
|
|
24
|
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 2 Eng
|
|
|
81
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 1 Eng
(Incl VSO)
|
|
48
|
12
|
|
Transports
|
26
|
8
|
|
|
Total
|
528
|
228
|
331
|
|
Southwest Pacific
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
U.S. Navy
|
RAAF
|
NEI
|
|
Heavy Bombers
|
240
|
|
|
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
192
|
|
|
18
|
|
Scout/Dive Bombers
|
192
|
|
216
|
|
|
Torpedo Bombers
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
Observation Army and Fleet Coop
|
168
|
|
115
|
|
|
Fighters Day and Single Seat
|
600
|
|
288
|
24
|
|
Photo
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
Fighters Day Multiseat
|
|
|
168
|
|
|
Patrol Bombers Boat Medium
|
|
36
|
45
|
|
|
Patrol Bombers Land Light 2 Eng
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
Transports
|
312
|
|
81
|
|
|
Total
|
1,756
|
36
|
1,111
|
42
|
|
Pacific Attack Forces
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
U.S. Navy
|
|
Heavy Bombers
|
144
|
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
128
|
|
|
Light Bombers
|
|
24
|
|
Scout/Dive Bombers
|
|
352
|
|
Observation
|
|
36
|
|
Fighters Day Single Seat
|
300
|
447
|
|
Fighters Night Multiseat
|
|
36
|
|
Photo
|
52
|
24
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Heavy
|
|
48
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Medium
|
|
180
|
|
Transports
|
52
|
108
|
|
Total
|
676
|
1,255
|
|
India - Burma - China - Ceylon
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
British
|
Chinese
|
|
Heavy Bombers
|
96
|
18
|
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
128
|
36
|
64
|
|
Light Bombers
|
64
|
198
|
|
|
Scout/Dive Bombers
|
|
28
|
|
|
Torpedo Bombers
|
|
80
|
|
|
Observation
|
|
28
|
|
|
Photo
|
52
|
|
|
|
Fighters Day Single Seat
|
300
|
288
|
150
|
|
Fighters Day Multiseat
|
|
72
|
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Medium
|
|
108
|
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Medium
|
|
40
|
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 2 Eng
|
|
40
|
|
|
Transports
|
312
|
100
|
|
|
Total
|
952
|
1,036
|
214
|
|
Reserve Force for Eastern Siberia
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
Russia
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
128
|
100
|
|
Light Bombers
|
64
|
50
|
|
Scout/Dive Bombers
|
96
|
100
|
|
Observation
|
84
|
50
|
|
Photo
|
52
|
|
|
Fighters Day Single Seat
|
600
|
600
|
|
Transports
|
26
|
100
|
|
Total
|
1,050
|
1,000
|
|
RECAPITULATION
|
|
|
U.S. Army
|
U.S. Navy
|
British
RAAF
RNZAF
|
China
NEI
Russia
|
Total
|
|
Heavy Bombers
|
672
|
|
18
|
|
690
|
|
Medium Bombers
|
688
|
|
36
|
182
|
906
|
|
Light Bombers
|
128
|
96
|
198
|
50
|
472
|
|
Scout/Dive Bombers
|
456
|
434
|
284
|
100
|
1,274
|
|
Torpedo Bombers
|
|
|
152
|
|
152
|
|
Observation
|
420
|
36
|
215
|
50
|
721
|
|
Fighters Day Single Seat
|
2,550
|
591
|
702
|
774
|
4,617
|
|
Fighters Day Multiseat
|
|
|
240
|
|
240
|
|
Fighters Night Multiseat
|
|
60
|
|
|
60
|
|
Photo
|
208
|
24
|
|
|
232
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Heavy
|
|
144
|
|
|
144
|
|
Patrol Bomber Boat Medium
|
|
312
|
153
|
|
465
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Medium
|
|
|
40
|
|
40
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 2 Eng
|
|
24
|
247
|
|
271
|
|
Patrol Bomber Land Light 1 Eng
|
|
102
|
12
|
|
114
|
|
Transports
|
832
|
128
|
181
|
100
|
1,241
|
|
Total
|
5,954
|
1,951
|
2,478
|
1,256
|
11,639
|
