The Interwar YearsThe Interwar Years

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Interwar Years BackgroundInterwar 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

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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 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

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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