World War II
Air Power, Global Conflict, and the People Who Flew
World War II was the first conflict in which air power shaped events on a truly global scale. Aircraft scouted oceans, guarded supply routes, struck deep into enemy territory, and determined when—and whether—armies could move.
For the United States, the war demanded rapid expansion of the Army Air Forces, the development of new aircraft, and the deployment of aircrews across multiple theaters. Europe, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific each presented distinct challenges, from long-range bombing campaigns to maritime patrol and reconnaissance.
The war in the air was defined by more than technology. Weather, navigation, endurance, leadership, and coordination mattered as much as firepower. Crews faced long hours of routine punctuated by moments of sudden danger, where training and discipline were often the only safeguards.
This section explores World War II as it was fought and experienced from the air:
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the organization and reach of the Army Air Forces
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the lives of aircrews and squadrons
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the realities of survival at altitude and over open ocean
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the strategies and tactics of aerial warfare
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the critical role of reconnaissance and early warning
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the battles that shaped the outcome of the war
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and the culture that emerged from those who lived through it
The pages that follow move from structure to experience, from preparation to combat, and from individual crews to the broader consequences of air power in wartime.
Explore World War II
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WWII Overview
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Army Air Forces
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Aircrews & Squadrons
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Surviving the War
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Air War
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Reconnaissance
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Winning WWII
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Wartime Culture