Why was airpower so important for World War 2?

Answer 1

From the beginning of "seafaring history", the warship (the battleship), wooden or steel, ruled the waves. On 10 December 1941, that all changed forever. When the British Battleship and British Battlecruiser HMS Prince of Wales & HMS Repulse were sunk while underway and shooting back; by Japanese Army Bombers. From that day onward; Airpower ruled the seas (via the Aircraft Carrier).

Answer 2

Aircraft were used extensively in World War 2. In addition to bombing runs, their ability to find the enemy and report back was important. For the first time, naval battles were conducted where the ships were not even within firing distance of each other. Aircraft conducted long range bombing runs on carriers, islands and troops in three theaters of war.

Also, fighters fought for air superiority which was important because with air superiority dive bombers and bombers could support ground troops.

Answer 3

It was so important because in Europe before Normandy the only way of striking Germany and all the Nazi-occupied countries was to bomb them since ICBM's did not exist at the time. And for the Normandy landings the 8th Airforce had to make sure the German Luftwaffe did not attack the landing crafts so aerial supremacy was much needed. And in The Pacific War or where the United States was fighting the Japanese during the same time, aerial supremacy was needed to protect the ships that were needed to carry troops as well as vehicles and supplies to the islands. At the beginning of the Second world war Germany had the best Airforce, and it was a daunting task to defeat it. Although if you want a very indepth answer to a very complicated answer you should match the documentary The Air War, which is a History Channel Documentary which is part of the WWII in HD series. I hope this helped.

Answer 4

For the first time in history, naval battles were fought in the sky with flying machines.

Answer 5

Because they could fly