A PATTERN FOR JOINT OPERATIONS: WORLD WAR II CLOSE AIR SUPPORT, NORTH AFRICA  by Mortensen, Daniel R

Washington, 1987, Office of the Air Force, first US paper edition, 8 1/2 x 11, VG condition, 94 pages, maps, illus,...................................This study examines the origin and development of American close air support doctrine and practice in World War II. The idea for the study resulted from a review of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Army and Air Force chiefs of staff, concluded on 22 May 1984, and of the initiatives that emerged from that historic document, particularly Initiative 24, which reaffirmed the Air Force's mission to provide close air support to the Army. The concentration is on the North African campaign because that was the first major large-unit test of American ground armies in World War II, and in that campaign the basic system of close air support for American ground and air forces in World War II was first worked out.