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This is Volume One of The Army Air Forces in World War II, titled Plans and Early Operations, January 1939 to August 1942, edited by Wesley Frank Craven and James Lea Cate. The University of Chicago Press first published it in 1948, and the Office of Air Force History reprinted it in 1983. The front matter explains how the AAF historical program was set up during the war. The index covers Pacific, Atlantic and European operations, and nothing in the text concerns unidentified aerial phenomena.
“The Wash”17 pages
P L A N S , P O L I C I E S , A N D O R G A N I Z A T I O N OBIECTl VES 5. Objectives suitable for the day bomber offensive under Phases I and z are listed in the attachment hereto. The target list for Phase 3 will be issued later. ROLE OF BRITISH DAY BOMBER FORCE 6. During the development of the day offensive, British day bomber forces are to be used in the secondary role to add weight to British diver- sionary operations and to maintain the attacks during periods unsuitable for the operation of the American heavy day bombers. MACHINERY FOR IMPLEMENTING T H E PLAN 7. During Phase I , it will be the responsibility of the Commanding General of the American Bomber Command to initiate offensive opera- tions, making preliminary arrangements for fighter co-operation with the Commanding General, the American Fighter Command. It will be the re- sponsibility of the latter to ensure full consultation with the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command. When the general plan is settled, it will be the responsibility of the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command to nominate the British Fighter Group Commander, who is to draw up the detailed fighter plans, reinforcing the Fighter Group as neces- sary in conjunction with the Commanding General, American Fighter Com- mand in respect of American pursuit reinforcements. Thereafter, detailed planning and the conduct of the fighter operation will be the responsibility of the Commanding General, American Bomber Command, and the British Fighter Group Commander concerned. 8. When Phase 3 is reached, it will be the responsibility of the Com- manding Generals of the American Bomber and Fighter Commands together to make the general and detailed plans and to conduct the operations under the direction of the Commanding General, 8th Air Force. It will be the responsibility of the Commanding General of the American Fighter Com- mand to arrange with the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Com- mand for such ground facilities and fighter co-operation as may be required from the British Fighter Command. 9. The Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber, Fighter and Coastal Commands, and the Commanding Generals of the American Bomber and Fighter Commands will at all times keep each other informed of operational intentions and together make such adjustments to plans as may be necessary to ensure proper co-ordination. 10. At some moment during Phase z it will be necessary to change from the co-ordination machinery for Phase I to that agreed for Phase 3. The moment of change-over will be decided by the Commanding General, 8th Air Force and the British Air Ministry (hC.A.S.(Ops) ) conjointly, having regard to the available strength of American pursuit forces available which are armed with American type fighters, and the degree of operational ex- perience which they have acquired.227
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