What was the purpose of the Air War Plans Division during World War II?

The Air War Plans Division played a crucial role during World War II by focusing specifically on the strategic bombing campaign aimed at crippling German industries. This division was responsible for developing plans that would prioritize the destruction of key industrial targets, supply lines, and infrastructure crucial for the German war effort. By targeting these areas, the Allies aimed to weaken Germany's ability to produce war material and to disrupt their logistical operations, thus contributing significantly to the overall war strategy.

Strategic bombing was a core component of the Allied air strategy, as it not only sought to undermine the enemy’s manufacturing capabilities but also aimed to demoralize both the military and civilian population. This approach to warfare was based on the belief that air power could decisively influence the outcome of the war by striking at the heart of the enemy's industrial complex, thereby shortening the conflict.

Areas like naval strategies or ground troop coordination, while important in their own right, were not the primary focus of the Air War Plans Division. The emphasis on achieving air superiority through fighter tactics, although a vital aspect of air warfare, was not the central mission of this division either; their main goal was to implement large-scale bombing campaigns aimed at systemic degradation of the enemy's industrial capability. Hence, the focus on the