WW2: Were many of the tactics used by the air forces and ground troops made up as they went?

Question

What I mean is that to a large extent, WW1 followed the old tactics of massive pitched battles, trench warfare and bayonet charges- although I am aware that things started to change with the use of machine-guns and tanks.

WW2 was the next big conflict, but it was a whole new ball game- guerrilla and urban warfare, high-performance fighter planes, mass bombing, automatic weapons, rockets, camouflage etc etc. Most of this stuff must have been fairly new to warfare and some of it must have been literally made up as the war progressed, with Generals finding out what worked and what didn't as WW2 evolved around them.

Was this the case?

Answer 1

No they are not, other wise you would have the RAF bombing the troops because thwy do not know where they are, oh I forgot that is what the USAF do.   The battles ar eplanned aneither air support or artillery or heavy gun fire from ships is always planned.

As a battle progresses air support might be called in and given co-ordinates where to strafe or bomb and like wise if a battle is near the coast ships will provide artillery support but always to given co-ordinates

Answer 2

Most was made up, and naval warfare was no exception, aircraft carriers were a new way to wage war, as far as subs go, they too were used much differently than in WW1.

Answer 3

Yes it was the case. That is always the case. Tactics are developed by soldiers on the ground, learned by officers after the fact, and employed when obsolete, but so long forgotten that they work again.  

Answer 4

Plans were made and when the shooting started most plans did not survive. There are many examples of the tactics being changed. The most famous was by Lord Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar.

In those days naval battles were fought broadside on but he threw the book away and broke the franco spanish line in three places and won.