Psychological effects of U.S. air operations in four wars, 1941-1991 : lessons for U.S. commanders / Stephen T. Hosmer.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Hosmer, Stephen T.

Contributor:

Project Air Force (U.S.)

United States. Air Force.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Air warfare--Psychological aspects.

Air warfare.

Air warfare--Case studies.

Psychological warfare.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxxviii, 220 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

Psychological effects of U.S. air operations in 4 wars 1941-1991

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND Corporation, 1996.

Summary:

The psychological effects of air operations can significantly shorten wars and reduce their costs, particularly in American lives. In some conflicts, the psychological effects of air operations may exceed the physical effects in importance. This report examines ways to maximize the psychological impact of U.S. air power in future conflicts. Drawing upon POW interrogations and other data from the Persian Gulf, Vietnam, and Korean wars and World War II, the author assesses the psychological effects of past U.S. air attacks against both enemy strategic targets and deployed ground forces. The author identifies the conditions that have consistently produced a catastrophic disintegration in enemy resistance and large-scale enemy surrenders and suggests how U.S. commanders might design and conduct future military operations to exploit the psychological potential of air power more fully.

Contents:

The Use of Strategic Air Attacks to Achieve Psychological Objectives World War II, 1941-1945 Korea, 1950-1953 Vietnam, 1965-1972 Persian Gulf, 1991 Lessons for U.S. Commanders How Air Operations Can Influence Morale and Battlefield Behavior Korea Vietnam The Persian Gulf Summary of the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Experiences Lessons for U.S. Commanders

Notes:

"Project Air Force, MR-576-AF."

"Prepared for the United States Air Force."