Richard Overy's Why The Allies Won

Due to now iconic images of planes such as the Boeing B-17 and the Supermarine Spitfire, World War 2 is recognized as being a war where an important part transpired in the skies. Richard Overy’s book Why the Allies Won, uses chapter four to look into the changes instigated and achieved through Allied air warfare. Looking at the production methods and morals behind Allied fight in the sky, readers are able to understand the positive impacts that were instigated through the air war. In the beginning of the war, Adolf Hitler had the idea to use bomber jets to bully Britain into surrendering to his demands. It was hit hope that an air assault on the public would cause the civilian population to cry out to their government for help, effectively backing them into a corner. Later the Japanese used an air raid to take out US naval carriers and cut the US off at the knees at Pearl Harbor. While both strategies were used as intimidation tactics, the result was a massive upsurge in public moral that spurned aircraft technology exponentially to new heights. Instead of intimidation, people were strengthened and the idea of “bombing as a way of conducting war,” was planted in their heads. This achieved innovations in the way planes were outfitted and designed, as the Allies put their capabilities into the
It was believed that the air warfare could shorten the war to “a week of horror followed by surrender,” and in turn could save thousands of young men from being stuck out in the trenches. The air war turned into a fight of brains and brawn as they struggled to find their harmony. Despite the moral shortcomings, in this time of war there was no denying “the operational effectiveness” of the Allied air