Context Matters

<p>While advancing their cause airpower advocates often cite the examples of Malta and Pantelleria. These two small islands in the Mediterranean provide stories of seemingly decisive applications of airpower in World War II. Malta is a story of an unsinkable aircraft carrier preserving British offensive capability which interdicted the Axis lines of communication to North Africa. It also provides an example of airpower's suppressive effects demonstrated by the Luftwaffe's concentration of firepower on the island and the subsequent reduction of the RAF's ability to operate effectively. The story of Pantelleria demonstrates the calculated promise of airpower--its reputed ability to mathematically subdue the defenses of an island. After a short but intense bombing campaign the island's garrison surrendered prior to the arrival of the amphibious assault force. This thesis is an attempt to critically examine the stories told by airpower advocates. In doing so it explores the context surrounding the Mediterranean theater. It explains the oscillating nature of Malta's interdiction campaigns and the Axis responses. Finally the airpower success at Pantelleria is examined for both its utility and its shortfalls. The findings are simple. Airpower's effects should be discussed in context. The ability of airpower to affect strategic operational and tactical events is clear. However to say that airpower is independently decisive is a dangerous road to travel.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>