Winged Defense: The Development and Possibilities of Modern Air Power--Economic and Military (Alabama Fire Ant) Review

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(More customer reviews)Just not very coherent.In a U.S. Army course, the main learning points about General Mitchell were that he campaigned for an independent air force and was court-martialed for insubordination and disrespect.Members of the U.S Air Force speak of Mitchell as the first American prophet in the temple of Air Power.So I figured I'd read it for myself.As it turns out, the two perceptions are not mutually exclusive.

If you're interested in early airpower theory, read The Command of the Air (USAF Warrior Studies) by Guilio Douhet.Douhet provides a coherent and internally sound conceptual structure where Mitchell just sounds like he's lobbying for a Congressional appropriation.In addition to this edition, "Winged Defense" appears in Roots of Strategy Book: 4 Military Classics : The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783,Some Principles of Maritime Strategy, Command of the Air, Winged Defense.

By Mitchell's own admission, this book was hastily assembled and published from other articles and notes from his Congressional presentations.And it shows.Sweeping statements and extensive lists of requirements for Mitchell's vision of an air force are great, but where Douhet had meticulously charted out his reasoning, Mitchell's underlying argument seems to be "I'm an Airman, you're not, now listen to me because you'll never really understand."Not an argument that carries the day, unless your the boss, and not necessarily then.His use of hyperbole only accentuates this perception, like when he asserts that in 1921, the Army hadn't changed since the Civil War that ended in 1865.

The only defense for the poor structure of Mitchell's arguments may be that he was trying to make them accessible to a broader audience, while preserving the spirit of airmen manifest in his prose.

As a historical work, this is an important primary source for one of the first experiments (the first U.S. experiment) in the use of air craft to attack a naval vessel.Mitchell carefully records the experiment, the events surrounding it, and some of the political considerations of the time.This is gold for historians of the interwar period.

There are constant reminders of his attitudes about aviation that grate on the nerves of non-flyers, like his assertion that majors, captains, and lieutenants in aviation carried greater responsibility that admirals and generals.He sure didn't understand the concept of a Joint military as Douhet seemed to.Mitchell wanted an Air Corps that was supported by the Army and Navy, rather than a triad of power, land, sea and air.

Mitchell was also a fighter pilot, and had all the vices of modern fighter pilots.
(Q: How do you know if there is a fighter pilot at your party?
A: He'll tell you.

Q: What's the difference between God and fighter pilots?
A: God doesn't think he's a fighter pilot.
Etc...)but because of this, envisioned a greater role for fighter aircraft than Douhet, which is an interesting contrast.

To his credit, Mitchell understood and articulated a more balanced view of offence and defence than Douhet did, and he understood ground based defences a bit better than Douhet.

I have heard officers from the U.S. Air Force's Space Operations community voice the opinion that space needs its Mitchell, someone willing to martyr their career for the goal of an independent Space Force (and when asked if they were volunteering, they change the subject).Be careful what you ask for...

"Winged Defense" was worth reading as history, but not very clear regarding air power theory, and I didn't enjoy it.It is interesting how many of the attitudes of aviators have changed so little over the entire history of their discipline.

E. M. Van Court

P.S.Should anyone try to do a film biography of Mitchell, they've GOT to get Mike Myers to play Mitchell.Look at the cover photo, and look at the actor's picture...
Van

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Product Description:
This book is the basis for airpower doctrine in the US, and demonstrateshow forward looking Gen Mitchell was even though the technology for conducting air operations was in its infancywhen it was written.It is essential reading for anyone concerned with airpower history or aerospace doctrine.William Lendrum "Billy" Mitchell (December 28, 1879 - February 19, 1936) was an American Army general who is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force, and is one of the most famous and most controversial figures in the history of American airpower.Mitchell served in France during the First World War and, by the conflict's end, commanded all American air combat units in that country. After the war, he was appointed deputy director of the Air Service and began to advocateincreased investment in air power, claiming this would prove vital in future wars. He particularly stressed the ability of bombers to sink battleships and organized a series of dramatic bombing runs against stationary ships designed to test the idea that attracted wide notice from the public.He antagonized manyin both the Army and Navy with his arguments and criticism and, in 1925, was demoted to Colonel.Later that year, he was court-martialed for insubordination after accusing military chiefs of an "almost treasonable administration of the national defense." He resigned from the service shortly thereafter.Mitchell received many honors following his death, including a commission by the President as a Major General. He is also the only individual after whom a type of American military aircraft is named: the B-25 "Mitchell."