1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910163211403321

Autore

Gould Winston A.

Titolo

Luftwaffe maritime operations in World War II : thought, organization and technology / / Major Winston A. Gould

Pubbl/distr/stampa

[Place of publication not identified] : , : Pickle Partners Publishing, , 2014

©2005

ISBN

1-78289-798-4

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (54 pages)

Disciplina

940.545943

Soggetti

World War, 1939-1945 - Naval operations, German

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di contenuto

Intro -- TABLE OF CONTENTS -- Preface -- Abstract -- Introduction -- Luftwaffe Thought and Doctrine -- Doctrine: Evolution or Dogma -- The influence of Douhet and the Spirit of the Offense -- Luftwaffe Regulation 16 -- Summary -- Luftwaffe Organization -- The See-Luftstreitkrafte -- The organization of the Luftwaffe -- Operationalizing the war in the Atlantic -- Summary -- Luftwaffe Technology -- Naval aviation development and use -- Aircraft and operations of Fliegerführer Atlantik -- The evolution of air-to-surface guided weapons -- Remote guidance of aircraft -- Summary -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- FIGURES -- ILLUSTRATIONS.

Sommario/riassunto

The development of airpower can be traced to three key elements: thought, organization and technology. The Luftwaffe of World War II is no different. This paper will examine the Luftwaffe's thought, organization and technology as it pertains to maritime operations, or as the modern United States Air Force (USAF) calls it, Countersea Operations. These maritime operations will include direct support of the Kriegsmarine and independent Luftwaffe operations against the Allies. Luftwaffe thought will show that doctrinally the Luftwaffe was not as prepared for the maritime role its leaders thrust upon it, but flexibility and the application of the tenets of airpower provided the basis for adaptation. Also included will be an examination of the fierce rivalry between the Luftwaffe and Kreigsmarine senior leadership and



how this interfered with the conduct of countersea operations. Luftwaffe organization during World War II provided a more than adequate basis for conducting the countersea campaign. The adaptability of the operational and support structure allowed the Luftwaffe to accomplish a variety of missions, even as their aircraft and weapons were proving deficient. Finally, the Luftwaffe was at the forefront of innovation in the field of aviation technology, including airframe and weapon development. Once again, interference by senior leadership and equipment teething problems combined with increasing Allied attacks cost the Luftwaffe precious time.