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As a nation we were not prepared for World War II. Yes, we won the war, but at a terrific cost in lives, human suffering, and material, and at times the margin was narrow. History alone can reveal how many turning points there were, how many times we were near losing, and how our enemies’ mistakes pulled us through. In the flush of victory, some like to forget these unpalatable truths.

— Henry H. Arnold

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More quotes by Henry H. Arnold

Offense is the essence of air power.

The technical genius which could find answers was not cooped up in military or civilian bureaucracy, but was to be found in universities and in the people at large.

Strategic air attack is wasted if it is dissipated piecemeal in sporadic attacks between which enemy has an opportunity to readjust defenses or recuperate.

A modern, autonomous, and thoroughly trained Air Force in being at all times will not alone be sufficient, but without it there can be no national security.

America owes its present prestige and standing in the air world in large measure to the money, time and effort expended in aeronautical experimentation and research. Our future supremacy in the air depends on the brains and efforts of our engineers.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Henry H. Arnold (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.