The Bomber Mafia

The Bomber Mafia was a group of military officers in World War II who believed that strategic bombing—using large bombers to target enemy industries and transportation—could effectively and ethically end wars by breaking the enemy’s will without extensive ground combat. They aimed for precise, high-altitude raids to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties. Their ideas, championed in the U.S. military, influenced the development of strategic bombing tactics and technology. However, their approach was controversial, as it often caused unintended destruction and suffering, raising questions about the morality and effectiveness of aerial warfare.