The United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) was a comprehensive assessment and evaluation project conducted by the United States military during and after World War II. Initiated in November 1944, the USSBS aimed to study the effects and efficacy of strategic bombing on the enemy's industry, infrastructure, and morale.
The USSBS was primarily focused on analyzing the results of the strategic bombing campaigns against Germany and Japan. It compiled and analyzed an extensive range of data, including aerial photographs, economic statistics, enemy documents, and interviews with military personnel and civilians from the targeted nations. The survey sought to evaluate the impact of strategic bombing on key sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, and energy production, as well as to determine its influence on the morale and will of the enemy population.
The findings of the USSBS were crucial in shaping post-war strategies, military doctrines, and policies related to air power and strategic bombing. The survey highlighted the effectiveness of strategic bombing on undermining enemy production and economic capacity, while acknowledging its limitations in quickly ending the war. The USSBS also emphasized the importance of accurate intelligence, target selection, and execution in achieving desired outcomes.
Overall, the United States Strategic Bombing Survey provided invaluable insights into the effectiveness and implications of strategic bombing during World War II. Its findings played a significant role in shaping future military strategies and policies, thereby influencing the development of air power and the use of strategic bombing as a military tactic in conflicts and wars thereafter.
