The Royal Flying Corps, the Western Front and the Control of the Air, 1914-1918

by James Pugh

Overview

By the middle of 1918 the British army had developed an effective approach to warfare on the Western Front. This approach, integrating infantry, artillery, armoured vehicles and - crucially - air power, was to prove highly effective and formed the basis of major military operations for the next hundred years. Yet, while much has been written on the utilisation of ground forces the study of the air element still tends be studied in isolation from the army as a whole. By exploring five key themes, this study seeks to move beyond the dominant 'aces and aircraft' perspective on aviation during the First World War, demonstrating the rich and complex nature of air power history during this period.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472459725
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/16/2017
Series:	Routledge Studies in First World War History
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

James Pugh is a Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Birmingham, UK. His research explores Modern British History in the era of the two World Wars. This includes the history of air power during both conflicts, and he has published on air power leadership and doctrine. His latest research explores the history of amphetamines in Britain between 1935 and 1945, which includes articles in the Journal of Contemporary History and War in History.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations

Series Editor’s Preface

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations

1 ‘By attacking and by continuing to attack’: The Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Air Force and the Control of the Air over the Western Front – An Introduction

2 From Birth to Battle – The Royal Flying Corps and the Control of the Air, 1911 to 1914

3 ‘The essence of fighting in the air is to attack first’ – RFC Doctrine, Policy and Practice on the Western Front, August 1914 to November 1916

4 ‘An even more vigorous offensive’: The RFC and the Control of the Air on the Western Front, 1917 and 1918

5 Defending the Vigorous Offensive: The Control of the Air in Strategic, Political and Organisational Contexts, 1914–1917

6 A ‘kindred field of activity’: The Creation of the Royal Air Force, Air Defence, Independent Air Power and the Control of the Air, 1917–1918

7 ‘A serious war and a costly one’: The Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Air Force and the Control of the Air in the First World War and Beyond – Conclusion

Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

"The seven chapters trace the chronological development of air fighting in WW1 concentrating on what was written about the broad aims of the strategy and its effect on the land battle...The result is a useful round-up and analysis of practically everything which was written at the time on ‘air superiority’ or ‘control of the air’."

- Sir Roger Austin, Afterburner Book Reviews

"...this book has much to recommend for a wide audience. It is an essential read for those who study the First World War and air power. It is also of significant interest to anyone who wishes to better understand the sacrifice and determination required to gain and maintain control of the air and the benefits that brings to our fighting forces and civilian population."

- Squadron Leader Phil Clare, Air Power Review, Vol. 21 No. 1

"James Pugh provides a concise and forceful addition to the literature, exploring airpower concepts that were theorized in peacetime and which were proven amid the sanguinary realities of the war."

- Nicholas Sambaluk, United States Air Force, Air Command and Staff College, Journal of Military History

"Pugh's study makes an original and significant contribution; it is absolutely essential reading for anyone wanting to write about the subject of military aviation in the First World War or the history of British Air Power"

- Michael Molkentin, University of New South Wales, Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research.

From the Publisher