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The World War Ii Air War And The Effects Of The P-51 Mustang

Abstract

      This paper deals with the contributions of the P-51 Mustang to
the eventual victory of the Allies in Europe during World War II. It
describes the war scene in Europe before the P-51 was introduced,
traces the development of the fighter, its advantages, and the
abilities it was able to contribute to the Allies' arsenal. It
concludes with the effect that the P-51 had on German air superiority,
and how it led the destruction of the Luftwaffe. The thesis is that:
it was not until the advent of the North American P-51 Mustang
fighter, and all of the improvements, benefits, and side effects
that it brought with it, that the Allies were able to achieve air
superiority over the Germans.

Table of Contents

  Introduction
  Reasons for the Pre-P-51 Air Situation
  The Pre-P-51 Situation
  The Allied Purpose in the Air War
  The Battle at Schweinfurt
  The Development of the P-51
  The Installation of the Merlin Engines
  Features, Advantages, and Benefits of the P-51
  The P-51's Battle Performance
  The Change in Policy on Escort Fighter Function
  P-51's Disrupt Luftwaffe Fighter Tactics
  P-51's Give Bombers Better Support
  Conclusion
  Works Cited

Introduction

      On September 1, 1939, the German military forces invaded Poland
to begin World War II. This invasion was very successful because of
its use of a new military strategic theory -- blitzkrieg. Blitzkrieg,
literally "lightning war," involved the fast and deadly coordination
of two distinct forces, the Wermacht and the Luftwaffe. The Wermacht
advanced on the ground, while the Luftwaffe destroyed the enemy air
force, attacked enemy ground forces, and disrupted enemy communication
and transportation systems. This setup was responsible for the
successful invasions of Poland, Norway, Western Europe, the Balkans
and the initial success of the Russian invasion. For many years
after the first of September, the air war in Europe was dominated...