Carly+Tovell

The investigation will be focusing on the bombing of Germany in 1942-1945. The writer will, investigate the plans of the Allied forces and the outcomes and effects made on WWII by the bombing. The author will take into consideration the events prior to the bombing, which set up for such a fatal situation in this study specifically from the sources, //In the Neighborhood of Zero//, and Sir Arthur Harris’ //Bomber Offensive//.
 * A. Scope of Investigation**
 * Did the targeting of civilians during the Bombing of Dresden advance the mission of the Allied forces in World War II?**

The summary of evidence will address two main positions; the strategies of the Allies destroy the transportation industry and to the psychological morale terror bombing had on the German people. The contrasting view points, will both contain reasons as to what the mission hope to accomplish and how it would help the Allied forces win the war. The two views will give insight to the damage done by Allied attacks and psychological warfare during war.
 * B. Summary Of Evidence**

I: __Allied Strategic Advancement__

According to PBS document, many important targets, necessary to the Allied success in WWII were located in Dresden. “Allied Expeditionary Forces Instructed RAF Bomber Command and the US strategic Air Forces to prepare and attack on Dresden because its importance in relation to movements of military forces to the Eastern Fronts”[i] Operation Thunderclap was an Allied plan, noted in the World War II: Almanac. Led by Sir Arthur Harris head of Bomber command, the Allies goal for bombing Dresden was to decimate the city with “long term bombing attacks that would destroy [Dresden's] resources and demoralize it’s population” New strategies arose like area bombing, where residential areas were targeted rather then that of dock yards or air craft factories, in order to throw off the Germans.”[ii]Seeing that Dresden was undefended by anti-aircraft guns, head of RAF Sir Arthur Harris decided to create a firestorm in the medieval city.” The bombings suffocated people from the lack of oxygen made with magnesium, phosphorus or napalm, by clustering over targeted areas. Once the area caught fire, the air above the bombed land became warm. Cold air then rushed in at ground level which, sucked people into the fire.[iii]

Ia: __Industrial expense of Dresden__

American bombing team planned to target German industrial areas, such as Dresden, however some of these regions were difficult to attack upon their complex architecture. “With Germany’s number one production being gasoline and aviation fuel, Dresden became essential to defeating the German armies: specifically collapsing morale and output of Germany's industrial workers”. [iv] USA and British Air Force leaders wanted to destroy the industries and people essential to the German war effort. Proving the importance of fighting in the skies, the Allies used firebombing as there a major tool for destroying the opponents industries. [v]Sir Arthur Harris made plans with Britain that would completely wipe out Germany's industries, all based in Dresden. "Because of the near elimination of the RAF, Britain rightly feared for its survival — Britain needed to hit deep into Germany to destroy the fighter aircraft, first by hitting them on the ground and then by taking out the factories that were producing them. But British light bombers were not capable of these objectives. [vi]They needed heavier, more capable bombers like the American B-17 – ones that would allow the successful penetration of German airspace and bombing of the factories. Because of daytime losses and the need to save the nation, the British had to change their strategy." [vii]

III: __Psychological plans and advancements__

The lack of German morality was crucial for the Allies to further advance especially considering the high cost of bombing for the US. An eyewitness of Air raids on Dresden reflects on the appearance of how greatly the city lacked in military importance. “The city had no military targets to speak of, it was known that I was packed with civilian refugees”.[viii] With the plans completed to completely demolish the German people's morality, the path of WWII had changed; which assisted in advancing the Allies. The eyewitness describes seeing “cremated adults shrunken to the size of small children, pieces of arms and legs, whole families burnt to death, people calling out looking for one another. I cannot forget these terrible details. I can never forget them” [ix] Eyewitness speaks about the remarkably scaring experience of the bombing, “We children new that sound and got up and dressed quickly, to hurry downstairs into our cellar. Attention, a great air raid will crone over our town! This news I will never forget”. [x] In a memoir of experiences of residents of Dresden, in the Neighborhood of Zero a boy reflects upon deep psychological post-war issues. The population was completely stripped of their identity and culture by the American and British fleets bombing innocent (war refugees). The Americans used these harsh tactics in their plans to psychologically scar the people involved in the German war efforts. [xi]

Spanos, William V. //In the Neighborhood of Zero: A World War II Memoir//. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 2010. Print.
 * C. Evaluation of Sources**

The origin is William V. Spanos at literary critic and Professor of comparative literature and English at Bringham University in New York. The source is a memoir that shows primary sources on the bombing of Dresden. The purpose of the source is to give a feeling and personal meaning to the people living in Dresden during the air raids and firebombing. Informs readers of the deeper meanings involved in the firebombing from the German side. It shows how it could affect the support of the American people. The value makes the reader more aware of what the lives of people were like (mostly all refugees of war) rather then just stereotyping all Germans during WWII. A limitation is that the source shows a bias reflection upon the incidence. Does not include info about warfare gains.

Sir Arthur Harris, //Bomber Offensive,// (London, Greenhill Press, 1990

The origin of the source is shown in Arthur Harris, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, commonly known as "Bomber" Harris by the press, and often within the RAF, was [|__Air Officer Commanding in Chief__] of [|__RAF Bomber Command__] (In 1943 as [|__Air Chief Marshal__]) during [|__World War II__] The purpose of the source is to display leadership and plans of the United Sates Air Force during WWII. The purpose is to explain aims and viewpoints of Arthur Harris, it explains conflicts and views that he encounters within his plans. It was a time when Fighting in the sky finally became noticed in society as a type of combat. The value of the source shows the depth and difficulty of the situation, how each plan would decide whether Germany would surrender, whether the war would continue depending upon each decision of the Air forces plans. Although there are few limitations to the source, The American’s peoples view is unacknowledged within the source, which was a great concern during the time.


 * D. Analysis**

With the German industries at an extreme high the United States Air force deemed advancement necessary. In order to push the Allied forces further in WWII drastic ideals were needed to be made, General Sir Arthur Harris of the American Forces was there to help lead Air Force fleet through these times of efforts. Plans targeted the German people demoralizing the population of communist countries. Although citizens within the US were not taken by these plans, people were taken aback from plans of Area bombing and military secrets that were unkempt within the US. Harris composed Area bombing plans that no other country would have seen coming that would eliminate all sources of industries and economic output from communist East Germany, stripping the city of its necessities during these wretched bombings. Largely targeted by the Allied forces, Dresden was regarded by the Allies as the center of its rail network linking eastern and southern Germany with Berlin, Prague and Vienna.[xii] The Fire-bombings that took place like that of none seen before. They were comprised of aggressive tactics with the base driven purpose of escorting the Allies to the finish of the War. Initially taken aback by the message sent, the American troops ultimately caved in to the plans that would lead the US to the final leg of the race, “At Casablanca we melded our bombing strategies to form the Combined Bomber Offensive, whose mission was the destruction of the German Air Forces–the USAAF using daylight precision bombardment and the British using area or "terror" bombing to undermine the morale of the German people. While we did not agree with the aim of the British terror bombing, we ultimately concurred on its use”[xiii]. Firebombing controversially targeted German civilians. The Fire-bombings were air raids that would swarm German skies in masses targeting the German morale in order to make gains in the United States. The Fire-bombings proved that there were other reasons and motives for bombing in Germany then just the preliminary message sent. US Air Force planned for an unstoppable and unseen plan with area bombing. “The peak wartime strength of the USAAF was 75,000 aircraft and 2,411,294 personnel” which was a new light to be shown during the battle of Dresden[xiv]. Harris proved a point that US troops were the strongest and most elite in the air. Harris, “Considered it a good target as it had not been attacked during the war, virtually undefended by anti-aircraft guns. The population of the city was now far greater than the normal 650,000 due to the large numbers of refugees fleeing from the advancing Red Army”[xv]. Harris was relentless with bombing tactics, “Dresden was nearly totally destroyed. As a result of the firestorm it was afterwards impossible to count the number of victims. Recent research suggests that 35,000 were killed but some German sources have argued that it was over 100,000.”[xvi] The aims for Dresden helped to catalyze and create the future plans of the Allied forces, which would quickly seal the fate of the Allied victory. The Allies," post-Germany," plans took place in the summer of 1945, when “the USAAF was ready to mount its final strategic bombing campaign. On 6th August, a fortress bomber dropped an atom bomb on Hiroshima. Japan continued to fight and a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later. On 10th August the Japanese surrendered. The Second World War was over”[xvii]. The men fighting in the air played a substantial role in aiding the success because Harry Truman, president at the time, wanted the war to come to an end quickly. But was that the only reason they were fighting? The men made such bold and considerable moves that would set forth the footwork for the future in fighting. “The death and destruction at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the culmination of US air strikes against Japan, The world knows that the Japanese surrendered immediately after these horrendous bombings."[xviii] Future air bombing would be changed as a result of the moves made and risks taken against the morale of the German people in order to open new doors for future combat. These bold strategic moves made by Sir Arthur Harris would set the standards for the future air bombing for wars to come by proving all that could be accomplished in the air.


 * E. Conclusion**

In many ways, attacks on German refugees were considered to be a drastic form of fighting but by attacking the morale of the people, assisted the Allies further towards advancement into WWII due to the number of German deaths and the destruction of the German industries. The Fire-bombings supported allowed forces to prove fighting in the air could be their strong benefit throughout WWII and future endeavors. Although some viewed US’s aggressive plans in Germany unnecessary, it can now be determined the plans played an essential role in the victory of the Allied forces, during WWII and it is clear that the targeting of the German morale during the Bombing of Dresden was necessary in the gains and progressions made within the WWII.


 * F. List Of Sources**

“Air Power: The Role of Bombing in World War II.” //U.S. Centennial Flight Commission//. II ed. Vol. I. 2000. //U.S. Centennial Flight Commission//. Web. 30 May 2012. “Area Bombing.” //World at War//. N.p.: Spartacus Educational, n.d. //Britannica Concise Encyclopedia//. Web. 1 May 2012. Bergander, et al. “Firebombing (Germany & Japan).” //PBS History//: n. pag. Rpt. in //I//. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. //PBS//. Web. 4 Mar. 2012. Daso, Major Mike. “Origins of Airpower, Hap Arnold’s Early Career in Aviation Technology.” //USAF//. 1903-1935 vols. Print. Goralski, Robert. //World War Two Almanac. Volume 2.//. 1947 ed. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2012. Probert, Henry. //Bomber Harris His Life and Times//. Great Britain: Greenhill, 2006. N. pag. //Gale Virtual Reference Library//. Web. 1 May 2012. Spanos, William V. //In The Neighborhood of Zero//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2012. Watson, Patrick. “World War Two .” //Watsons Really Big World War Two Almanac//. Vol. II. Print.
 * End Notes**

[i]. Bergander, Gotz, Conrad C. Crane, and David Irving. "Firebombing (Germany & Japan)." //PBS//. PBS. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. [ii] Ibid. [iii] Goralski, Robert. "World War II: Almanac." //Alibris//. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. [iv] Ibid. [v] Lee Kennett, //A History of Strategic Bombing,// (New York, Scribner's, 1982), 186 [vi] Sir Arthur Harris, //Bomber Offensive,// London, Greenhill Press, 1990 [vii] Major Mike Daso, USAF, //Origins of Airpower, Hap Arnold's Early Career in Aviation Technology, 1903-1935,// (n.p., n.d.) [viii] Simkin, John. "Bombing of Dresden." //Spartacus Educational//. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. [ix] "The Fire-Bombing of Dresden." //Times Witnesses//. //Eye Witness//. Web. [x] Ibid. [xi] Spanos, William V. //In the Neighborhood of Zero: A World War II Memoir//. Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 2010. Print [xii] Bergander, Gotz, Conrad C. Crane, and David Irving. "Firebombing (Germany & Japan)." //PBS//. PBS. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. [xiii] Lee Kennett, //A History of Strategic Bombing,// (New York, Scribner's, 1982), 186 [xiv] Goralski, Robert. "World War II: Almanac." //Alibris//. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. [xv] Lee Kennett, //A History of Strategic Bombing,// (New York, Scribner's, 1982), 186 [xvi] Sir Arthur Harris, //Bomber Offensive,// London, Greenhill Press, 1990 [xvii] Lee Kennett, //A History of Strategic Bombing,// (New York, Scribner's, 1982), 186 [xviii] Ibid.