Air Force Historical Research Agency Welcome to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Legacy Vault

DAF Legacy Vault

We are excited to announce the development of a new digital space dedicated to showcasing the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) official archival records. This project highlights the rich and storied history of both the Air Force and Space Force, featuring historical records, artifacts, photographs, audio recordings, video documentation, and archival finding aids.

Although the page is currently under construction, our team is actively working to ensure it becomes a comprehensive and accessible resource for historians, researchers, veterans, and enthusiasts. We aim to make these valuable materials readily discoverable for those seeking insights into the DAF's contributions to our nation's history.

This initiative underscores our commitment to preserving and sharing the official ephemera of the Airmen and Guardians who have shaped the legacy of the skies and beyond. Updates will follow as the project progresses, and we look forward to unveiling more resources soon!

DAF History Publications

The High Road to Tokyo Bay: The AAF in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
This document provides a detailed account of the Army Air Forces’ tactical operations in the Asiatic-Pacific theater during World War II. It explains how air power was used to support operations in the China-Burma-India area, emphasizing the Hump airlift that transported essential supplies over the Himalayas to keep China in the war. The text details specific events such as the role of the Flying Tigers in defending southwestern China, the disruption of Japanese resupply convoys during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, and the development of air operations in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It also describes how the Seventh Air Force, Fifth Air Force, and later the Fourteenth and Twentieth Air Forces established new bases in the Gilberts, Marshalls, and Marianas to support long-range bombing missions against Japan, including early MATTERHORN B-29 raids and subsequent strategic operations leading to the recapture of the Philippines and Okinawa.

Download Image: Full Size (3.07 MB)
Tags:
Photo by: Daniel L. Haulman |  VIRIN: HIGHROADTOTOKYOBAY.PDF