Allied code name for the Combined Bomber Offensive against
Germany. U. S. and British air doctrine prior to the war had called for such an
offensive, directed at the industrial potential of an enemy nation. This
doctrine, formulated at the Air Corps Tactical School and the RAF Staff
College, posited that a large long-range bomber force could disrupt and destroy
an enemy's warmaking potential using high altitude daylight precision formation
tactics.
POINTBLANK was ordered by the Combined Chiefs of Staff on 10
June 1943, and its top priority was the destruction of the German aviation
industry so as to achieve air superiority over the continent. Simultaneously,
the bombers were to strike key industries such as oil, chemicals, and ball
bearings.
It was quickly realized, however, that fighter escort was
necessary to protect the bombers on deep strikes into Germany. RAF Bomber
Command moved to night operations. For the United States, this realization
became painfully obvious in fall 1943 when unescorted U. S. bombers suffered
heavy losses on missions against Schweinfurt and Regensburg.
Long-range escort fighters-the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51
Mustang-soon arrived in theater and made their presence felt. During Operation
ARGUMENT in February 1944-unofficially known as BIG WEEK-Allied bombers struck
aircraft and engine factories while escort fighters severely mauled German air
defenders. Air superiority was finally achieved and then maintained for the
remainder of the war. The bomber offensive in turn grew in size and power and
by early 1945 had destroyed much of Germany's industrial potential.
References
Craven, Wesley F., and James L. Cate, eds. The Army Air Forces in World War II.
7 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1948-1958. Hansell, Haywood S.
Jr. The Air Plan That Defeated Hitler. Atlanta: Higgins-McArthur, 1972.
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