The Interwar Years

1. The Interwar Years

2. Interwar Years Background • Following WW I, 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 WW II, 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