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Ann Arbor, MI 48106 A NEED TO KNOW: THE ROLE OF AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE IN WAR PLANNING, 1945-1953 DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By John Thomas Farquhar Captain, USAF B. S., M. A. The Ohio State University 1991 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Allan R. Millett John F. Guilmartin Michael J. Hogan Advisor Department of History Copyright by John Thomas Farquhar 1991 In Memory of Ana Jonus (1898-1991) A Strong, Simple, Loving Woman Who Lived Her Life One Day at a Time ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS But at my back I alwaies hear times winged chariot hurrying near; Andrew Marvell For an active duty Air Force officer, the opportunity to enter graduate school represents a rare opportunity to grow intellectually and to enjoy the benefits of academic life. I appreciate the efforts of Colonel Carl W. Reddel and Lieutenant Colonel Philip S. Meilinger for making this possible. Dr. Allan R. Millett deserves special thanks for serving as my primary advisor for my dissertation and for providing sage counsel. He understood my time constraints and showed a rare ability to cut through extraneous ideas as I searched for a theme. I also appreciate the work of Dr. John F. Guilmartin and Dr. Michael J. Hogan for their astute suggestions for improvement. As a former Air Force officer who has advanced to the first rank of scholarly achievement, Dr. Guilmartin also served as my role model and inspiration in this quest. Moreover, Major Mark Clodfelter played a major role with his penetrating insight into the doctrinal issues addressed and his superior editing of my early chapters. My thanks also goes to Mr. Kelly McFall, a fellow Ohio State graduate student, who served as my “sounding board” for ideas. iii Exploring a topic that borders upon still classified material poses a tremendous problem for a researcher. As an Air Force officer and a former navigator in reconnaissance aircraft, I understand the rationale for maintaining secrecy for more current aspects of this field. As a result, this dissertation has passed appropriate security clearance procedures. On the other hand, I believe that the efforts of the many unsung individuals must be recognized in Cold War history. I understand the values and sacrifice of the Air Force personnel involved in aerial reconnaissance. I hope my exploration, although limited in time and focus, provides an understanding of the origins of strategic aerial reconnaissance. All opinions expressed are my own and do not represent the United States Air Force. Because of the research complexity of this field, I appreciate those who provided me help. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Kuehl opened the door to the Association of Old Crows where Mr. Gus Slayton provided me unlimited support. Captain George W. Cully of the US Air Force Historical Center and Dr. Henry Narducci at the SAC office of history opened Air Force archives and suggested many research possibilities. Mr. Wilbert Mahoney of the Modern Military Branch of the National Archives introduced me to Record Group 341 which proved to be a gold mine. At the Naval Historical Center, Mr. Bernard Cavalcante, Mr. Mike Walker, and Ms. Ella Nargele proved most helpful. On the other coast, Ms. Linda Long aided my search in the Stanford University Archives. At the administrative center of my study, Lieutenant Colonel James P. Waller and Mrs. Doris Reed of the Air Force Institute of Technology coordinated my travel efforts. In ail honesty, my dissertation represents a family effort. I owe my parents thanks, not only for emotional support, but for professional advice. My iv mother, Mrs. Pauline Hunsberger, read each draft and joined her husband Ted in offering expert bibliographical advice. My father, Dr. John S. Farquhar, taught me to strive for excellence and urged me to be bold intellectually. My in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Joan and Joe Beeber, helped me maintain an even perspective and to balance the demands of family life. My grandfather, Mr. John Micu, always supported my efforts and provided me an example of a man who worked hard, invested well, but enjoyed life and those around him. Finally, my beloved wife Millie provided me the love and understanding each day that made this humble effort worthwhile. I cannot express in words the depth of my thanks to her. v VITA July 8,1958 ..... Born - Fort Wayne, Indiana 1980 ...... B.S., United States Air Force Academy 1981-1986 .... Navigator, 38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska 1986 ...... M.A., History, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 1987-1989 ..... Instructor, USAF Academy, Colorado PAPERS “The Origins of Strategic Aerial Reconnaissance, 1947-1950,” 22nd Annual Northern Great Plains History Conference, October 15,1987, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. "Eyes of the Ferret: Strategic Aerial Reconnaissance in the Korean War,” 23rd Annual Northern Great Plains History Conference, September 23, 1988, Eveleth, Minnesota. “Air Plan for Victory: The Development of RAF Doctrine in the Mediterranean 1940-1941," 34th Annual Missouri Valley History Conference, March 16, 1991, Omaha, Nebraska. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field of Study: History Studies in Military History, Allan R. Millett and Williamson Murray Early Modern European History, John F. Guilmartin Russian and Soviet History, Allan K. Wildman vi TABLE OF CONTENTS D EDICA TIO N ............................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................ iii VITA ........................................................................................................................ vi LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................................viii LIST OF PLATES................................................................................................... x ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................... xi INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................1 CHAPTER PAGE I. THE ORIGINS OF STRATEGIC AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE . 11 II. GROPING IN THE DARK: RECONNAISSANCE BEFORE CONTAINMENT, 1945-1946 ...................................................................... 36 III. FROM CONTAINMENT TO BERLIN: ORGANIZATIONAL STEPS TO FILL INTELLIGENCE GAPS, 1947-1948 .......................................... 64 IV. STRATEGIC BOMBING QUESTIONED: INTELLIGENCE SHORTFALLS AND WAR PLANS, 1949-1950 ................................. 108 V. THE TEST: STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE IN KOREA, 1950-1953 .................................................................................................. 149 CONCLUSIO N.......................................................................................................... 184 APPENDICES A. Radar Principles ...................................................................................... 191 B. Glossary ....................................................................................................196 BIBLIOGRAPHY 201 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURES PAGE 1. Flight No. 6 of Ferret III, June 14-15,1943 ........................... 29 2. Alaska and the Chukotski Peninsula ..................................... 103 3. Soviet Radar Coverage of Western Europe ........................ 126 4. Soviet Radar Coverage of the Far E a s t ................................. 127 5. Mission 178,16 March 1 9 5 1 ................................................... 163 6. Mission 179,16 March 1 9 5 1 ................................................... 164 7. Mission 180,23 March 1 9 5 1 ..................................................