Blinded by Doctrine

This paper will conduct an analysis of the failure of the Luftwaffe (1939-45) and identify practices for the United States Air Force to avoid. The analysis will address lack of vision and institutional inflexibility in crafting airpower doctrine, as well as explore the ensuing systemic mismatch of doctrine and strategy that characterized the performance of the Luftwaffe in World War II. The primary factor was Germany’s decision to develop a tactical air force lacking strategic effect. This choic