Air Power History, 67:2 (Summer 2020)
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SUMMER 2020 - Volume 67, Number 2 WWW.AFHISTORY.ORG know the past .....Shape the Future The Air Force Historical Foundation Founded on May 27, 1953 by Gen Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS and other air power pioneers, the Air Force Historical All members receive our exciting and informative Foundation (AFHF) is a nonprofi t tax exempt organization. Air Power History Journal, either electronically or It is dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation and on paper, covering: all aspects of aerospace history appropriate publication of the history and traditions of American aviation, with emphasis on the U.S. Air Force, its • Chronicles the great campaigns and predecessor organizations, and the men and women whose the great leaders lives and dreams were devoted to fl ight. The Foundation • Eyewitness accounts and historical articles serves all components of the United States Air Force— Active, Reserve and Air National Guard. • In depth resources to museums and activities, to keep members connected to the latest and AFHF strives to make available to the public and greatest events. today’s government planners and decision makers information that is relevant and informative about Preserve the legacy, stay connected: all aspects of air and space power. By doing so, the • Membership helps preserve the legacy of current Foundation hopes to assure the nation profi ts from past and future US air force personnel. experiences as it helps keep the U.S. Air Force the most modern and effective military force in the world. • Provides reliable and accurate accounts of historical events. The Foundation’s four primary activities include a quarterly journal Air Power History, a book program, a • Establish connections between generations. biennial symposium, and an awards program. Summer 2020 -Volume 67, Number 2 WWW.AFHISTORY.ORG know the past .....Shape the Future Features The Air War against North Vietnam: the Thanh Hoa Railroad and Highway Bridge (Part 5) Theo van Geffen 5 The Norden Bombsight and the U.S. Naval Proving Ground Robert V. Gates 27 Thud Out: Saying Farewell to the F-105 Thunderchief W. Howard Plunkett 35 Fortress on the Deck: The B-17 as a Low-Level Anti-Shipping Bomber in the Southwest Pacific David L. Richards 43 Book Reviews The Handley Page Victor: Tales From a Crew Chief, 40 Years of Life with the Victor By Roger R. Brooks Review by Golda Eldridge 48 Lionel Morris and the Red Baron: Air War on the Somme By Jill Bush Review by Golda Eldridge 48 South PacificAir War Volume 3: Coral Sea & Aftermath, May-June 1942 By Michael Claringbould & Peter Ingman Review by Frank Willingham 49 Battle of Midway: America’s Decisive Strike in the Pacific in WWII By John Grehan Review by Frank Willingham 50 Biplanes at War: U.S. Marine Corps Aviation in the Small Wars Era, 1915-1934 By Wray R. Johnson Review by Heather Venable 50 “Sam” Marshall of the Royal Air Force The Lord Elworthy KG, GCB, DSO, LVO, DFC...: A Biography By Richard Mead Review by Steven D. Ellis 4551 The Gilbert and Ellice Islands—Pacific War By Jim Moran Review by Frank Willingham 52 From Kites to Cold War: The Evolution of Manned Airborne Reconnaissance By Tyler Morton . Review by Al Mongeon 53 Gott Strafe England: The German Air Assault Against Great Britain, 1914-1918, Volume 3 By Nigel J. Parker Review by Steven D. Ellis 53 Eagles Over the Sea: Luftwaffe Maritime Operations, 1935-1942 By Lawrence Patterson Review by Gary Connor 54 From Texas to Tinian and Tokyo Bay: The Memoirs of Captain J.R. Ritter... By Jonathan Templin Ritter . Review by Scott A. Willey 55 Chinese Airpower in the 20th Century: Rise of the Red Dragon By Andreas Rupprecht Review by Scott A. Willey 55 Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Air Force—Aircraft and Units & Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Naval Aviation—Aircraft and Units & 56 Modern Chinese Warplanes: Chinese Army Aviation By Andreas Rupprecht Review by Scott A. Willey 56 Winged Brothers:Naval Aviation as Lived by Ernest and Macon Snowden By Ernest Snowdon Review by Steven D. Ellis 57 Sydney Camm: Hurricane and Harrier Designer, Saviour of Britain By John Sweetman Review by Gary Connor 57 Admiral John S. McCain and the Triumph of Naval Air Power By William F. Trimble Review by Golda Eldridge 58 “Men Will Come”: A History of the 314th Troop Carrier Group 1942-1945 By Mark C. Vlahos Review by Scott A. Willey 59 21st Century Power: Strategic Superiority for the Modern Era By Brent D. Ziarnick, ed. Review by Michael F. Loughran 59 Broken Arrow: How the U.S. Navy Lost a Nuclear Bomb By Jim Winchester Review by Golda Eldridge 60 Departments President’s Message 4 Upcoming Events 62 New History Mystery 64 COVER: F–4D 68795 of the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon, configured with LGBs, on its way to last chance (R), while another F–4D is being checked by maintenance personnel. Note the ECM pod in the Sparrow well, meaning the aircraft received Mod 2147. (USAF photo via Theo van Geffen.) The Air Force Historical Foundation The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation Summer 2020 Volume 67 Number 2 Editor Richard I. Wolf Editor Emeritus Jacob Neufeld Air Force Historical Foundation Book Review Editor P.O. Box 790 Scott A. Willey Clinton, MD 20735-0790 (301) 736-1959 Advertising Jim Vertenten E-mail: [email protected] On the Web at http://www.afhistory.org Circulation Angela J. Bear Board of Directors President’s Circle Col Wray Johnson, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Christopher D. Miller, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Kenneth W. Sublett, USAF (Ret.) Chairman Lt Gen Nicholas B. Kehoe, USAF (Ret.) Benefactor Air Power History (ISSN 1044-016X) is pro- First Vice Chairman Mr. Darrell Dvorak duced for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter by Lt Gen Charles R. Heflebower, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Charles R. Heflebower, USAF (Ret) the Air Force Historical Foun dation. Second Vice Chairman Lt Gen Nicholas B. Kehoe, USAF (Ret) Prospective contributors should consult the Dr. Rebecca Grant, Patron Members GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS at Secretary the back of this journal. Unsolicited manu- Col Terry Balven, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Steven Gress, Jr., USAF (Ret.) scripts will be returned only on specific Treasurer Maj Gen Charles J. Dunlap, Jr., USAF request. The Editor cannot accept responsibil- Maj Gen John L. Barry, USAF (Ret) Dr. John Farquhar ity for any damage to or loss of the manu- Douglas Birkey Lt Col Raymond Fredette, USAF (Ret.) script. The Editor reserves the right to edit Col Scott C. Bishop, USAF (Ret.) Dr. Jerome V. Martin manuscripts and letters. Col Christopher J. Brunner, USAF (Ret) Lt Gen George D. Miller, USAF (Ret.) Gen Ralph E. Eberhart, USAF (Ret.) Brig Gen Jon A. Reynolds, USAF (Ret.) Address LETTERS and manuscripts to: Lt Gen Robert J. Elder, USAF (Ret.) Brig Gen William L. Shields, USAF (Ret) Maj Gen Charles W. Lyon, USAF (Ret.) Brig Gen Wade R. Smith Air Power History Col Stephen E. Newbold, USAF (Ret.) Mr John Terino 3043 Sunny Ridge Drive MSgt Keith A. Reed, USAF (Ret.) Odenton, MD 21113 Donations e-mail: [email protected] Mr. Frank Alfter Correspondence regarding missed issues or Emeritus Gen Michael J. Dugan, USAF (Ret.) Mr. Ned E Derhammer changes of address should be addressed to Maj Gen Dale W. Meyerrose, USAF (Ret.) the CIRCULATION OFFICE: Chairman Maj Gen Charles J. Dunlap, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Christopher D. Miller, USAF (Ret.) Air Power History Col Bobby B. Moorhatch, USAF (Ret.) P.O. Box 790 Editor, Air Power History Lt Gen Michael A. Nelson, USAF (Ret.) Clinton, MD 20735-0790 Richard I. Wolf Maj Gen John D. Paulk, USAF (Ret.) (301) 736-1959 Lt Col Raymond Fredette, USAF (Ret.) e-mail: [email protected] Col Joseph Marston, USAF (Ret.) Editor Emeritus, Air Power History ADVERTISING Jacob Neufeld Col Wray Johnson, USAF (Ret.) Corporate Sponsors Jim Vertenten Boeing P.O. Box 790 Staff Clinton, MD 20735-0790 Calvert Systems Lt Col James A. Vertenten, USAF (Ret.) (301) 736-1959 Secretary to the Board and General Atomics e-mail: [email protected] Executive Director General Electric Aviation Mrs. Angela J. Bear, Office Manager Leidos Copyright © 2020 by the Air Force Historical Lockheed Martin Foundation. All rights reserved. L3Harris Technologies Periodicals postage paid at Clinton, MD Northrop Grumman 20735 and additional mailing offices. Pratt & Whitney Wings over the Rockies Air Museum Postmaster: Please send change of address to the Circulation Office. 2 AIR POWER History / SUMMER 2020 From the Editor Our issue this time seems to be split in two, half is about World War II, and half is about Vietnam and some of its hardware. Our first article is the continuation of Theo van Geffen’s story of the Thanh Hoa bridge in Vietnam, and all of the work that went in to trying to destroy the span. This segment is about hardware, people, and events. Our second article is by Robert V. Gates and a very interesting story of the Norden bomb sight from World War II, and the interaction of the U.S. Navy and its Proving Ground in develping and producing that most valuable bit of hardware. Our third article is by W. Howard Plunkett, and covers the final phase-out of the F–105 Thunderchief. The 1984 “Thud-Out” was a sad occasion for many, and there are some good stories and photos in here. The final article in this issue is by first-timer David L. Richards, and his fascinating story of how the B–17 was used in the Pacific theater in World War II as a low-level anti- shipping bomber. It’s certainly not what the B–17 was designed for.