Destined for Glory: Dive Bombing, Midway, and the Evolution of Carrier Airpower

by Thomas Wildenberg

On 4 June 1942 three squadrons of U.S. Navy Dauntless dive bombers destroyed Japan's carrier force sent to neutralize Midway and changed the course of the war in the Pacific. As Thomas Wildenberg convincingly demonstrates in this book, the key ingredient to the navy's success at Midway was the planning and training devoted to the tactic of dive bombing over the previous seventeen years. Examining how political, economic, technical, and operational factors influenced the development of carrier airpower between 1925 and 1942, he shows why dive bombing became the navy's weapon of choice--why it was emphasized over all other methods of aerial warfare and finally brought to bear to stop the Japanese advance. He also pays tribute to the select group of naval aviators and senior leaders whose insights and determination drove the evolution of carrier tactics in this formative period. The title reflects the essence of the the development of carrier air power in the U.S. Navy was driven by an unwritten understanding that the years spent on experimentation, training, and innovations were "destined" to bring success in a future battle. As part of this work, the author introduces newly discovered information showing that the outcome at Midway was actually predicted by naval aviators years before the battle took place. The book sheds new light on the navy's preparations for war, demonstrating beyond a shadow of a doubt the effectiveness of U.S. naval planning before Pearl Harbor.

258 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Mingfeng · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the history of dive bombing in US naval aviation. Convincing argument on the effectiveness and superiority of dive bombing during the years. However, it would be even better to provide perspectives on dive bombing in other countries in parallel, and elaborate any kind of impact on US naval dive bombing development, or the other way around.

[Captain Dunsel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical background to the US Navy's development and use of dive bombers and dive bombing, from the 1920's through Midway (1942).
The author does skip over foreign dive bombing development, and doesn't get into how it became obsolete in the face of proximity fuses and other technological developments.

[Marshall Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of U.S. Navy’s early days of naval aviation and the development of the dive bomber. The author did not mention that the Navy’s demonstrations of dive bombing tactics to Luftwaffe leader Ernst Udet led to the development of its famous JU-87 Stuka dive bomber.

[Gary Pearson]

Wonderful full history of dive bombing from its invention in the early 1920's through dive bombings biggest moment when a score of SBD's changed history in 5 minutes by sinking three of Japan's biggest carriers at Midway.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall great history of the development of Naval Aviation and attack squadrons and tactics.