Scope and Content Note
During World War II, the United States undertook massive aerial attacks against cities and industrial areas in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) to destroy German military forces. To study the effects of this strategic bombing in Europe, the United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) was organized in November 1944 by order of President Harry S. Truman. The USSBS was assigned two tasks: to establish a basis for evaluating the importance and potential of air power as an instrument of military strategy, and to plan the future development of the armed forces. Initially focused on Europe (European War reports), a Pacific survey (Pacific War reports) was added after the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945.