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20. Air Power.
 
     The outstanding feature of the UNITED NATIONS war effort
 
has been ths rapidity with which air power has been developed
 
and applied. Air advantage has been gained in practically all
 
areas, and the advantage will increase rapidly in the immediate
 
future. The proposed UNITED NATIONS bomber offensive should gravely affect the AXIS war
effort.
 
21. UNITED STATES.
 
     a. Manpower. Mobilized and trained manpower will reach
 
its optimum in 1944.
 
     b. Military. Current estimates indicate that by the end
 
of 1943 the Army Air Force will have 114 bomber groups
 
(6200 airplanes) and 59 fighter groups (5900 airplanes).
 
Of those, 26 bomber groups and 12 fighter groups will not
 
be deployable outside of the UNITED STATES due eithor to the
 
status of equipment or training.
 
     The ground forces should consist of 100 combat divisions.
 
Sixty-nine divisions will be in the UNITED STATES but only
 
32 of these will have completed training.
 
     Disregarding prospective losses, naval forces
 
available for deployment to the PACIFIC by the end of 1943, 
 
will be superior to the Japanese Fleet. Extended naval action
 
against Japanese lines of communication and positions will
 
be possible.
 
     c. Production. Most major items should be in full-scale
 
production by early 1944.
 
     d. Shipping. Considering the scheduled production of
 
shipping and the measures being instituted to combat the sub-
 
marine, it is expected that adequate shipping will be availz
 
able to meet transportation requirements.
 
                             - 13-
 
 
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