The Strategic Bombing Survey (SBS) was an extensive analysis conducted by the United States government to assess the effectiveness of the Allied Air Operations during World War II. Initiated shortly after the end of the war in 1945, this survey aimed to determine the impact of strategic bombing on the war effort, particularly against Germany and Japan.
Background and Purpose
The survey was authorized by President Harry S. Truman in November 1944, with the dual purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of the bombing campaigns and providing lessons for future military strategies. The SBS was intended to answer critical questions about the economic, industrial, and moral effects of the bombing, as well as its role in hastening the end of the war.
Organization and Execution
- Leadership: Franklin D'Olier, a former president of Prudential Insurance Company, was appointed as the head of the survey.
- Team: The survey team was comprised of over 300 civilians and military personnel, including economists, statisticians, engineers, and former business executives.
- Scope: The survey covered both European and Pacific theaters, examining the effects of bombing on cities, industries, and populations.
- Methodology: The team employed a comprehensive approach, including:
- Analysis of bombing records and damage assessments.
- Interviews with German and Japanese military and civilian personnel.
- Examination of captured documents and economic data.
Key Findings
The Strategic Bombing Survey provided several significant insights:
- Economic Impact: It concluded that while the bombing campaigns disrupted German and Japanese war production, the actual effect on the overall war economy was less than anticipated. The Axis powers adapted by decentralizing and dispersing production facilities.
- Moral Impact: The survey found that the morale of the German population was surprisingly resilient, although the bombing did have psychological effects and contributed to war weariness.
- Strategic Bombing vs. Tactical: The survey suggested that tactical bombing, aimed at direct military targets, was more effective in terms of immediate impact than the strategic bombing of industrial and urban areas.
- Effectiveness Against Japan: In Japan, the survey concluded that the use of atomic bombs was decisive in ending the war, though conventional bombing had already significantly weakened the country's infrastructure and industrial capacity.
Legacy and Criticism
The findings of the SBS were influential in shaping post-war military doctrines and the understanding of air power. However:
- Criticism: Some scholars and military analysts have criticized the survey for its methodology and the potential bias in its conclusions. There was debate over whether the survey underestimated the indirect effects of the bombing on civilian life and morale.
- Long-term Impact: The SBS has been used in subsequent studies on air warfare, influencing how military operations are planned and conducted.
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