steve on Nostr: “MacArthur’s Airman: General George C. Kennedy and the War in the Southwest ...
“MacArthur’s Airman: General George C. Kennedy and the War in the Southwest Pacific” by Thomas E. Griffith, Jr.
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Griffith, a 30-year veteran of the US Air Force, published this biopic on the ranking Airman in the Pacific theater during WWII to shed light on an aspect of the war that is usually dominated by Naval historians. General Kenney’s roots in the ACTS informed his perspectives on the employment of air power and made him perfectly suited for the island-hopping warfare of the Pacific. Kenney was quick to adapt and innovate as he re-organized air forces in the Pacific for MacArthur’s thrust from Papua New Guinea towards mainland Japan. By decentralizing decision-making and favoring deep interdiction against Japanese supply lines and airfields, Kenney was able to cripple Japan’s ability to resist the Allied offensive from the air. Of note, Griffith focuses much of the narrative on the aviation engineers who made the war in the Pacific possible—rapid airfield construction quite literally “paved the way” for shore-based aircraft to continue their march North towards Japan. This was an interesting read that offers lessons on organizational dynamics, innovation, and strategy for the curious reader. 🛫🛬
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Griffith, a 30-year veteran of the US Air Force, published this biopic on the ranking Airman in the Pacific theater during WWII to shed light on an aspect of the war that is usually dominated by Naval historians. General Kenney’s roots in the ACTS informed his perspectives on the employment of air power and made him perfectly suited for the island-hopping warfare of the Pacific. Kenney was quick to adapt and innovate as he re-organized air forces in the Pacific for MacArthur’s thrust from Papua New Guinea towards mainland Japan. By decentralizing decision-making and favoring deep interdiction against Japanese supply lines and airfields, Kenney was able to cripple Japan’s ability to resist the Allied offensive from the air. Of note, Griffith focuses much of the narrative on the aviation engineers who made the war in the Pacific possible—rapid airfield construction quite literally “paved the way” for shore-based aircraft to continue their march North towards Japan. This was an interesting read that offers lessons on organizational dynamics, innovation, and strategy for the curious reader. 🛫🛬