Cairo Egypt
November 10, 1946 0842
Report # 134
Subject: After Action Report for October.
To: The Joint Chiefs of Staff
Attn: General Eisenhower
October 1946
Air Operations
Bombing of the oil production facilities of the Soviet
Union continued unabated. Five large raids were planned for the weeks of 13-27
October, 1946. Availability of bombers and their crews postponed two out of the
five raids. An unexpected loss of supplies and aviation fuel by submarine
activity off the coast of Tunisia and Libya had caused the delays. Numerous
reports of small mini-subs attacking shipping at chokepoints near Tunis,
Benghazi and Tobruk.
The 15th Air Force started operations on 12 October 1946
with a 245 plane raid on Baku shortly after a raid by SAC. The raid seemed to
catch the VVS reloading and was an unqualified success with major oil storage
facilities destroyed near Khatai. Oil production in the Baku area is estimated
at 37% and increasing despite our bombing efforts.
SAC continues to rely on large formation of B-29 entering
enemy airspace at 24,000 ft. Leadership continues to insist that the Norden
Bomb sight and radar bombing from a high level will significantly reduce oil
production of the USSR. Evidence suggests that the same fast moving wind that
covers Japan also is prevalent in this area and other tactics might be in
order. They continue to take unsustainable losses.
The 15th AF has authorized the development of rather risky
maneuver designed to allow a large formation of bombers to evade missile
attacks. Currently progress has been made with no midair collisions reported.
It is therefore suggested that this endeavor be allowed to continue.
All airbases in the area continue to operate with extreme
efficiency. The unexpected losses off North Africa had caused the re-routing of
convoys around the Cape to the Suez. This delay has been overcome by increasing
the amount of shipping along the route with assistance from Canada, Brazil and South
Africa. The re-routing had a temporary effect on SAC’s operations tempo that
has been rectified. The 15 AF was not in operational status and was not
affected.
The Soviet forces continue to mass on the borders of
Turkey. Increase in air activity and a blatant disregard for Turkish
sovereignty is apparent. Although no formal declaration of war has been
declared, VVS air forces continue to make incursions into Turkish airspace in
pursuit of our bomber formation. A number of attacks on airfields in Turkey
have previously been noted. A long range, low level fighter sweep by Yak 9D
fighter planes, code name Far Boy, attacked the air bases in Kaysari on 28
October as has been noted in previous reports.
Militarily, there has been no effect on operations of an
undeclared war over Turkey. It is curious as to why neither side has done the
obvious.
Naval Forces
The Mediterranean Fleet continues to prepare for future
operations. The sight of a dozen aircraft carriers plainly seen steaming just
off the coast of Egypt is a concern for operational security. It appears to be
common knowledge that this large contingent of our Naval Air Arm was in the
Mediterranean and not in the Atlantic. See attached report.
As mentioned previously, the threat of submarine warfare has
been mitigated by using the longer route to the Suez. Tactics and new
technologies are actively being developed to address this new threat caused by
enemy submarines to our supply lines connecting the major islands in the
Mediterranean as well as merchant marine traffic traversing the routes
previously used.
Land Forces
The assignment of over 250 advisors to the Turkish military
has been completed. Each of these experts were embedded in their respective
Turkish units. Each of these experts where chosen by their commanders and
tasked with training the Turkish troops in the latest infantry and small unit
tactics. These highly trained experts are expected to double the combat
effectiveness of the Turkish forces facing the Soviet Union.
Very preliminary reports indicate that the majority of the
assigned personnel are working with their Turkish counterparts on a daily
basis. The Turkish government has expressed its gratitude for this welcome
assistance in its valiant effort to build up its defenses for an expected and
eminent attack.
No other ground forces are currently engaged in the
theatre.
NAVAL OPERATIONS
Continued preparedness of the amphibious forces is
paramount. Training continues unabated. Most of the equipment stockpiled from
the planned invasion of the Japanese islands have been retrofitted and brought
back into service. Enough equipment has been brought back into service to land
and support 25 divisions a month up to a total of 90 divisions worldwide by
June 1947. Ongoing discussions are proceeding and focusing on the targets and
goals for possible invasion scenarios.
It is highly recommended that each of these invasions be
designed to trap as many Soviet units as possible, separating them from their
bases of supply, and isolating them from their sources of command and control.
Recommendation for possible invasion sites:
Lebanon
Trieste
Salerno
Salonica
Possible invasions dates would start as early as 15 April
1947.
Naval forces should take every opportunity to hit Soviet
forces with gunfire supported by air cover. The true extent of the strength of
our Naval Air Arm should be hidden from the VVS and will play a major role in
trapping Soviet forces worldwide.
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