Developments in Air Doctrine from 1903 to the End of World War II

Air doctrine is essentially an innovation of the 20th Century whose origin can be traced back to 1903 when the Wright brothers flew the first airplane (Bakshi, 1999). However, the first fledging use of air power occurred during World War I between 1914 and 1918 where airplanes were initially employed for scouting, artillery detection, and reconnaissance. This was followed by the use air power for brave air-to-air combat and restricted bombing and strafing missions. Air power doctrine continued to grow through the years as significant developments took place in military and civilian settings. This paper examines the major developments in the history of air doctrine from 1903 to the end of World War II. The analysis of these developments is linked to the works of different theorists like Sun Tzu, Mao, Jomini, Clausewitz, and Douhet.

Brief History on the Developments in Air Doctrine

According to Bakshi (1999), the history of air power doctrine can be traced back to 1903 when the first airplane was flown by the Wright brothers. Since then air power doctrine has undergone significant developments as societies across the globe have continued to evolve. One of the major events that marked the history and application of air power doctrine occurred during World War I (1914-1918). This period marked a significant turning point in the history of air power doctrine by determining its initial application. During this period, air power doctrine was utilized for scouting, artillery detection, and reconnaissance. The use of air power doctrine for this purpose was geared towards giving one an advantage over adversaries. The use of air power for this purpose paved the way for its application to combat. In addition to scouting, reconnaissance, and artillery spotting, air power was later used for brave air-to-air combat and limited bombing and strafing missions.

The period between World War I and World War II marked the greatest developments in the history of air doctrine. During this period, air power was essentially a new technological high-ground. As noted by Green (2010), air power was basically an unprecedented intellectual achievement during this period. Germany and the USSR developed the concept of Land-Air Battle Doctrines as part of their air power strategy. However, maritime nations differed from Continental powers like Germany as they viewed air power as an autonomous outgrowth of a new dimension of power. On the other hand, Japanese air power doctrines heavily emphasized the creation and aggressive exploitation of naval-aviation. Therefore, the application of air doctrine between 1903 and World War II was characterized by the ideals and views of different theorists who also shaped how nations or adversaries viewed war.

Analysis of Developments in Air Doctrine

Air power doctrine has been characterized by a series of developments that influenced its application in the period between 1903 and World War II. Green (2010) asserts that the development of air doctrine is primarily a story of unprecedented intellectual achievement. The intellectual aspect of the development of this concept is attributable to the role theorists played in this process. The intellectual development of air doctrine is also evident in its inclusion of new patterns of thought, stern logic, and aggressive flights of imagination. Perspectives on air power doctrine emerged as new ideas emerged, particularly amidst stern opposition characterized by rigid thinking, vested interest, and inertia in the period between the two wars. Therefore, air doctrine is a dynamic concept as the ideas of 1941 may not serve current and future needs. The dynamism behind this concept is evident in the significant developments that characterized its...

…theory of war that suggests that attacking some aspects of industry would help weaken an enemy (Biddle, 2019). The Americans achieved tremendous victory over Germans as Luftwaffe forces lost experienced aircrew and the German oil industry was decimated by the U.S. By 1945, the Germans lost men and material and could not keep up while the Americans continued with the buildup. This proved critical in the development of air power doctrine as a combination of strategic bombings and decimating some aspects of industrial production proved effective in gaining air superiority.

The ideas of Sun Tzus Art of War are evident in air power doctrine during World War II and until its end. One of the strategic principles espoused in Sun Tzus theory is the principle of achieving superiority through identifying and fully exploiting an enemys vulnerability by acting beyond mental and physical capabilities (Kainikara, 2009). This principle underlined the use of air power as a tool of obtaining air superiority over an adversary during World War II. John Wardens air power theory echoed the ideas of Sun Tzu by suggesting that the command of the skies should be the major military objective that is achieved through air-to-air combat. These ideas remain critical aspects of the air power doctrine since the end of World War II to date.

In conclusion, air power doctrine has undergone an evolution as societies and the military continue to grow. The origin of air power doctrine can be traced back to 1903 when the first successful airplane was developed by the Wright brothers. This paved the way for the emergence of the aviation industry and the eventual integration of airplanes into the military setting. The period between 1903 and the end of World War II was characterized by various events that served as significant developments in air doctrine. From…