Superfortress - The B-29 and American Air Power

Author: Curtis LeMay & Bill Yenne
Publisher: McGraw-Hill NY
Edition: First
Cover: Hardcover w/Dust Cover
ISBN: 0-07-037164-4
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Synopsis: Curtis LeMay and Bill Yenne's authoritative examination of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress provides comprehensive coverage of the aircraft that revolutionized strategic bombing and transformed the nature of warfare during World War II. As the commanding general who orchestrated the devastatingly effective B-29 campaign against Japan, LeMay brings unique perspective to this analysis of the world's most advanced bomber and its decisive role in achieving Allied victory in the Pacific. The book begins with the pre-war development of the B-29, examining the technological innovations that made it the most complex and capable aircraft of its era, including pressurized cabins, remote-controlled gun turrets, and advanced navigation and bombing systems. LeMay and Yenne detail the enormous challenges of producing and deploying this revolutionary aircraft, including the massive industrial effort required to manufacture B-29s and establish the infrastructure needed for strategic bombing operations across the Pacific. The narrative chronicles the early B-29 operations from China and India, honestly examining the logistical problems and tactical failures that nearly led to cancellation of the entire program before it could prove its effectiveness. The authors provide detailed coverage of the establishment of B-29 bases in the Mariana Islands, describing the transformation of remote Pacific atolls into sophisticated air bases capable of supporting sustained strategic bombing operations against the Japanese home islands. LeMay provides firsthand insights into the revolutionary tactical changes he implemented, including the shift from high-altitude daylight precision bombing to low-altitude nighttime incendiary attacks that proved devastatingly effective against Japanese cities. The book extensively covers the controversial fire-bombing campaign that began with the March 1945 attack on Tokyo, examining both the tactical effectiveness and moral implications of operations that killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians. The authors don't avoid difficult questions about the ethics of strategic bombing, addressing arguments from military necessity, international law, and humanitarian perspectives that continue to influence debates about warfare conduct. LeMay and Yenne provide technical analysis of B-29 capabilities and limitations, explaining how continuous modifications and improvements enhanced the aircraft's effectiveness throughout its operational service. The narrative includes detailed accounts of specific missions and campaigns, drawing from operational records and personal accounts to recreate the experience of flying the world's most advanced bomber under combat conditions. The book addresses the strategic impact of the B-29 campaign, examining how systematic destruction of Japanese cities and industries brought the empire to the brink of collapse before atomic weapons were employed. The authors conclude with analysis of the B-29's post-war legacy and its influence on subsequent strategic bombing doctrine and aircraft development during the Cold War era. This comprehensive examination serves as both detailed technical history and strategic analysis of air power's decisive role in achieving victory over Japan.

Superfortress - The B-29 and American Air Power, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.