Busting Bridges

This study is in three parts. The first part is a brief technical review of bridge types and an examination of the best ways to achieve desired destructive effects combined with a brief discussion of the accepted reasoning for including bridges as a target in interdiction. The second part of the study is a review of three US air campaigns designed to destroy bridges. These case studies are taken from Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. The third and final section of the study reviews doctrine associated with bridge destruction and interdiction. Highlighting areas where service doctrine has fallen short in the past, I analyze current doctrine, and suggest future improvements.