American Airpower Comes of Age

PARIS, CANNES, ITALY, NORTH AFRICA, SOUTH AMERICA
intense work habits and general reluctance to delegate important
tasks to senior subordinates as he worked at his desk 12
or more hours a day, six or seven days a week, they were
probably right. His deputy, Lt Gen Barney Giles, reported that
orders from General Marshall were “to keep General Arnold
out of this office for at least a month.” 5 What better way to
achieve this than to encourage the AAF chief to witness what
was anticipated to be the closing days of the war in Europe,
see at first hand the results of Allied bombing while discussing
future plans, programs, and assignments with senior officers
there? It was also clear that Arnold enjoyed his travels abroad
and welcomed a change of pace.
On the other hand, both Lovett and Marshall were ambivalent
about Arnold’s proposed absence from the Washington
scene. They were particularly concerned that the aviator
already had been absent from the Pentagon during the last 10
days of January, all of February, and the first 21 days of
March while recuperating in Florida. Although Arnold could
maintain effective rapid communication with Washington
while traveling, his counsel and influence would be missed in
the capital. The AAF chief had proven successful in the White
House, Congress, and the JCS. In addition, his familiarity with
the planning for a postwar American military establishment
and his credibility were significant assets to the future of the
AAF. General Marshall, in a relationship that was now as personal
as professional, normally deferred to or relied heavily on
Hap’s judgment in Army aviation matters. Since there was no
one of Arnold’s stature to replace him, his voice would be
missed in any deliberations that would take place during his
absence. As evidence of his importance, General Arnold’s
replacement, en route to the Yalta Conference, complained in
a letter to Hap, “without you we are just tolerated from bottom
to top.” 6
Among his aims while in Europe would be discussions with
those involved in the numerous personnel changes he was
considering for many senior aviators. Many of the successful
air commanders in Europe were to be reassigned to the Air
Staff in the Pentagon. In Washington, where reputation was
often as important as accomplishment, many of these combat
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