What strategy did Guilio Douhet advocate for in warfare?

Guilio Douhet, an Italian General and Air Power theorist, is best known for his advocacy of strategic bombing, which emphasized the importance of targeting an enemy's civilian population centers during warfare. Douhet believed that attacking the morale of civilians would ultimately disrupt the enemy's ability and will to fight, leading to a quicker end to conflicts. He argued that the destruction of industrial and logistical resources tied to the civilian infrastructure was critical, as it would not only weaken military forces but also cripple the nation's overall capacity for war.

This approach was a significant shift from traditional concepts of warfare, which often focused on military targets such as bases or troop formations. By prioritizing civilian centers, Douhet proposed that air power could play a decisive role in modern warfare, changing the dynamics of how wars are fought. This perspective laid the groundwork for the strategic bombing campaigns seen in later conflicts.