I like Gladwell’s books. They are always very much interesting and easy to read.
Though admittedly, this one is not my favourite, as I am in no way a WWII aficionado or aviation enthusiast. But it is always great to learn something new.
Up until now I had no idea what Norden bombsight was nor had I any deeper knowledge of the extent of the bombing of Japan during the World War II.
Gladwell writes about both the history and the specifics of aviation and bombing.
Military geek or a bulldog?
In any way, after having read the book, if I had to choose, I think I would count myself in the Hansell’s corner (the one of the Bomber Mafia).
His position of a precision bombing of strictly military targets seems like a no-brainer. The whole utilitarian “necessary evil for the greater good” approach adopted by Le May, which in this case arguably led to earlier ending of the war (though it’s impossible to consider alternate histories in retrospect), seems like something I would probably not be able to justify to myself.
There are some really deep thoughts that are worth thinking about.
Can’t stop the progress
I like the author’s comment at the end of the book laid in the context of the rapid improvement of the precision bombing compared to the status quo during WWII.
Le May won the battle but Hansell won the war (set forth on the account that bombardiers are nowadays able to do just what the original Bomber Mafia dreamt of – precision bombing).
