Hangarshuffle,
The air campaign in Libya was the decisive factor in the west's achievement of its military objectives. There was one British casualty: in a road accident in Europe. The ability to wield such influence at low political risk is a decisive advantage for air power. The fact that the Libyan state disintegrated two years later is beside the point. That speaks to a poor political strategy; the military strategy was perfect. The presence of western troops wouldn't have stopped the breakdown in relations between the leading factions.
The "accidental" bombing of Berlin in 1940 had a famously strategic effect.
The Black Buck raid is assessed to have forced the Argies to move their Mirages north to defend Buenos Aires, meaning they could not threaten our Harriers.
The Israelis' pre-emptive destruction of the Egyptian air force on the ground in 1967.
Shall we keep going?
Last edited by Easy Street; 19th Nov 2015 at 00:00.