Wings Questions #4

 

1. Why did some world leaders and theologians feel that flying would be the end of mankind?

 

Some world leaders, like Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, thought that flying would be the end of mankind, because no one could truly feel safe anywhere. The threat of a bomb falling from the sky would be constant, because aviation makes the world smaller. In the days of earthbound warfare, surprise attacks, although possible were rare and difficult. With the advent of aviation, however, countries can attack each other’s citizens without ever facing each other’s military.

 

Some religious leaders thought that aviation signaled the end of mankind for an entirely different reason. One of them thought that the wings in the sky signified inescapable divine justice. Another thought that God intentionally denied man the art of flying so that we could lead quiet and tranquil lives. Yet another mentioned that flight would “give ill men greater Opportunities to do Mischief.”

 

2. What factors influenced the development of the aircraft carrier and what role did it play in WWII?

 

One of the main factors leading to the development of aircraft carriers was the takeover of Manchuria by the Japanese. This helped the world realize that an air force without a land base was necessary. There were a few different developments in aircraft carriers, some of which were more successful than others. Eventually they were made into what we see today, giant ships with reasonably long landing strips and a variety of tools to help launch, land, and store aircraft. These ships then went on to play a major role during WWII, especially in the pacific theater. Much of the United States’ fight with Japan was done through the use of aircraft launched by aircraft carriers. They allowed the United States to not be at a complete disadvantage when fighting the Japanese, because we could get our fighters into the air to compete with the Japanese fighter planes. Aircraft carriers also allowed for the bombing of strategic locations in conjunction with land based maneuvers, which allowed the US to establish a foothold and eventually spread throughout the pacific.

 

3. What role did strategic bombing play during the war and was it successful?

 

Strategic bombing was an integral part of WWII. It was used by both sides on numerous occasions to take out strategic bases or factories. The plus for the side using the bombers was that it did not put as many of their troops in danger, and it created chaos for the other side. It was also useful in disrupting supply lines for munitions and other important military articles. The United States focused a large amount of strategic bombing on Japanese factories, hoping to curb the production of war materials, but also drive people from work and homes in order to demoralize them. A country whose citizens do not want to be in a war because they live in constant fear is less likely to remain in said war. If not for the strategic bombing efforts of the United States, it is doubtful that World War II would have ended in 1945, especially if one includes the atomic bombs as a part of the strategic bombing effort.