AP 503(S) - WWI Effect on Airpower Theory

OVERVIEW

Aviation was born in the crucible of World War I. However, this new method of warfighting was still in its infancy when the war ended in 1918. Over the next two decades, theory, technology, and prediction evolved quickly towards diverse and exciting ideas about airpower. This seminar analyzes American airpower thought and the earliest development of American airpower by focusing on the writings of one of the earliest American writers on the subject of airpower, Brig Gen William Mitchell. It then shifts focus to a discussion of how the rhetoric of theory often changes when subjected to the reality of military conflict, through an examination of the argument presented by Tami Davis Biddle.

OBJECTIVES
 * 1) Comprehend Biddle’s fundamental argument about the nature of rhetoric and reality.
 * 2) Analyze Billy Mitchell’s vision for the future of airpower.
 * 3) Examine why Mitchell’s concepts failed to persuade leaders to bring his ideas to fruition.

WINGED DEFENSE reading (notes by Klatt)
Chapter 1 

 -Prescribes three things that Congress should do to fix lagging air service issues. 1) Create Department of Aeronautics to control all things aeronautical, including defense of air.  2) Aeronautical personnel separate from Army and Navy. 3) Create Department of National Defense with sub-heads for Air, Army, Navy

 -Entirely new class of people he calls “air-going people” which are very different from land-going and sea-going people. A new class of people for a new class of warfare in the air.

 -He gives examples of how different flying is than transport on the ground or at sea, how distance is now measured by hours not miles.

 -Since no AAA or other ground-based defenses are not operational yet, the only defense from an air attack is another aircraft.

 -Like Douhet, argues that a nation must have airpower ready to go since an air war can be quick and the fastest to start attacking the other side will win.

 -Defines 3 classes of nations regarding airpower: 1) Island nations like UK that have to import much of their supplies.  2) Continental Europe with land borders and some importing of supplies, but much closer to an enemy. 3) The US with large sea barriers and self-sufficient.

 -Shows how the US is no longer isolated by oceans. Aircraft flying distances can cross gaps between Asia and Europe or island hop to reach anywhere in the world. Flying over the poles is considered and cold is better than hot for weather reasons.

 -Goes into a quick recap of warfare since antiquity, mostly land-based. Today, war needs vital centers of industry to support it, and these are vulnerable to attack from the air with little defense other than an air force.

 -Has a bitter rivalry with navy, arguing that land-based warfare will always be needed, but ships will become obsolete (except for submarines). Since airplanes can sink any ship, only those far out to sea will be safe and ultimately useless.

 -Uses Great Britain as an example of what the US should be doing to centralize control of air forces, air defense, organizational constructs, etc. Says US is well behind her peers in Europe in most of these areas.

 -Two things required to create an air force: 1) National will, morale, patriotism to fly and fight.  2) Industry and raw materials to build and maintain the fleet. He argues the US is the best at both so should have her own air force.



 Chapter 8 (Personnel)



 -Argues for need of a separate air force officer to lead air forces, not the highest-ranking Army officer. The air force has so many unique qualities compared to the other services that it requires one of its own to lead it.

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Describes many ways that airpower is different from army and navy (3 dimensions, complexity of machines, learning to fly takes long time, speed, method of employment)

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Describes 3 branches of the air force: 1) (Air superiority) Pursuit, primary attack aircraft used for offense in the air  2) Bombardment  3) (Interdiction) Attack, basically CAS and close-in ground bombing

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Detailed description of pilot training at the time, to include initial training, soloing, learning bigger aircraft and how to employ in battle, and only after 2 years qualified to operate in any environment

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Then says how important maintenance personnel are to the fight and should be treated as much more than just another Army guy. They are professionals on par with civilian mechanics, highly trained, specialized.

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Chapter ends with some math for how many airplanes should be in the inventory (based on how many on the front lines, how many in reserve, some for training, etc.)

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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center"> Chapter 9 (Aircraft and Equipment)

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<p class="MsoNormal"> -Starts by describing what aircraft the US should be building now for defense and attack.

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Argues for continual improvement in building and designing aircraft. Best one now in the hands of the pilot, better one being built, and even better one on the drawing board. Direct influence on technology as king. Describes each of the 3 types, specific ranges, speeds, capes and lims.

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Talks about all-metal construction and hangars may be obsolete. Aircraft need to be able to operate in sun, rain, snow, hot, cold, etc.

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Long discussion of current and optimal ways to design and build aircraft, including methods of wind tunnel testing, initial mock-ups, testing, and final production.

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Warns against production aircraft and letting politics slip into the system. Too risky for pilots, he says.

<p class="MsoNormal"> -Ends with discussion of supply depots, numbers of parts and extra airplanes to be on hand, both at home and on the front lines.