Master of Airpower: General Carl A. Spaatz

During World War II, ``Tooey'' Spaatz directed tactical air operations in the North African and Sicilian campaigns, took over U.S. strategic air forces in Europe until the German surrender, then directed the final strategic bombing of Japan. In 1947, he became the first chief of staff of the newly independent Air Force. A quiet, unpretentious man, Spaatz was not a colorful figure but he was a first-class military leader and organizer. Mets pays particular attention to Spaatz's career between the world wars, when he acquired staff and command experience that prepared him for the task of developing air-war policy during World War II, while building the organizations that implemented it. A natural diplomat, Spaatz resisted attempts by the Royal Air Force to gain control of U.S. strategic air forces and later walked a fine line between the two powerful U.S. army and navy commanders in the Pacific, General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz. Photos. (Dec.)