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The Interwar Years

The Interwar Years. Interwar 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

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The Interwar Years

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  1. The Interwar Years

  2. Interwar 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

  3. Interwar YearsGeneral William “Billy” Mitchell • Director of Military Aviation in 1919 • Believed the airplane would change the defense establishment • Believed the air service was an offensiveforce equal to the Army and Navy • Views were strongly opposed by the Army and Navy

  4. 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

  5. Mitchell’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

  6. Mitchell’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)

  7. Air Corps Tactical School (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)

  8. Air Corps Tactical School 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

  9. Air 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

  10. Organizational 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

  11. Interwar YearsOrganizational Change • General Headquarters Air Force - 1935 • Placed all tactical units under the Commander, GHQ • Recognition of an independent aviation branch within the Army

  12. Summary • 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

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