The Interwar Years
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Transcript of The Interwar Years
The Interwar YearsThe Interwar Years
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Interwar Years BackgroundInterwar Years Background
Following WWI, US returned to isolationism Civilian aviation boomed, military budgets were
cut Air service sought to develop an air doctrine Period marked by organizational change and
personality clashes Few airmen saw the potential of the airplane
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Interwar YearsInterwar YearsGeneral William “Billy” MitchellGeneral William “Billy” Mitchell
Director of Military Aviation in 1919 Believed the airplane would change the
defense establishment Believed the air service was an offensive
force equal to the Army and Navy Views were strongly opposed by the Army
and Navy
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Billy Mitchell (Cont)Billy Mitchell (Cont) A visionary, fanatic and prophet Alienated many due to constant attacks and
need for 100% support Technology was not capable of meeting his
expectations -- cost him credibility Feuded extensively with the Navy -- Claimed
the battleship was obsolete• His planes bombed and sunk 3 ships• Infuriated the Navy leadership
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Mitchell’s Last CampaignMitchell’s Last Campaign 1922 - 1924 -- Mitchell concentrated on
developing doctrine • advocated strategic bombardment
1925 -- Demoted to Colonel because of his unrelenting bid for a separate air force
After the crash of the dirigible, “Shenandoah,”he accused military leaders of “incompetence and criminal negligence”
Court-martial -- October 25, 1925
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Mitchell’s LegacyMitchell’s Legacy
Focused attention on airpower Forced people to accept the potential of
airpower Mentored many aviators who would
carry on his work -- some became instructors at the Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS)
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Air Corps Tactical School Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS) Origins(ACTS) Origins
Founded in 1920 at Langley AFB, VA Moved to Maxwell AFB, AL in 1931 Original mission was to teach air
strategy and tactics Changed to developing and teaching air
doctrine (principles and philosophy)
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Air Corps Tactical SchoolAir Corps Tactical School Teachings Teachings
Future wars would be decided by airpower Airplane would be the primary offensive
weapon High-altitude strategic daylight bombing
could paralyze and defeat an industrialized enemy without heavy losses
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Air Corps Tactical SchoolAir Corps Tactical School Preoccupation with bombers and their
missions overwhelmed other teachings• Claire Chennault, who led the Flying Tigers in
WWII, taught pursuit aviation -- advocated escorting bombers and strafing enemy rear areas
• George Kenney, who commanded the Pacific Air Force in WW II, taught attack aviation -- strafing attacks on enemy troops and behind enemy lines
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Organizational ChangeOrganizational Change Army Reorganization Act of 1920
• Air Service gained autonomy in R&D, procurement, personnel, supply and training
Air Corps Act of 1926• Changed the name of the Air Service to Air Corps
-- implied the Air Corps was capable of independent operations
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Interwar YearsInterwar YearsOrganizational ChangeOrganizational Change
General Headquarters Air Force - 1935• Placed all tactical units under the
Commander, GHQ• Recognition of an independent aviation
branch within the Army
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SummarySummary At conclusion of WWI ...
• Mood of the country : Isolationism• Military emphasis decreased / budgets cut
Billy Mitchell’s contribution to autonomy …• Convinced airplanes would change how war fought• Believed Air Service was an offensive force on same
level as Navy and Army• Lobbied Army ground officers / Congress for separate
Air Service
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Summary (cont)Summary (cont) Air Corps Tactical School …
• Mission:
• Teach air strategy and tactics (initially)
• Evolved to development / teaching air doctrine
• Theories professed:
• Air Service should be equal to Navy and Army
• Future wars decided by airpower
• Bombers key to defeat enemy without heavy losses
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Summary (cont)Summary (cont) Significance of Army Reorg Act of 1920
• Air Service part of combat mission of the Army• Gained considerable autonomy
Significance of Air Corps Act of 1926• Renamed “Air Service” to “Air Corps”, implying
independent ops capability• Began 5-yr expansion plan for personnel / acft
Significance of General HQ AF (1935)• all tactical units under Commander, GHQ• Recognized independent aviation branch within the
Army