THREE PIONEERS OF AIRPOWER
(GREAT STRATEGISTS)

They saw airplanes … come into reality as weapon systems … and they became strong advocates.

We continue our Great Strategists series with a look at three pioneers of airpower — Giulio Douhet from the Italian Armed Forces, Billy Mitchell of the U.S., and Hugh Trenchard, the “father” of the British Royal Air Force. In the early 20th century, these three great innovators and thinkers saw the battlefield changing as a result of the introduction of airplanes. Only a decade would pass from the Wright Brothers’ first flight to use of aircraft in World War I — and controlling the skies have been vital to military success ever since. Presenting these pioneers is Dr. Tami Davis Biddle, U.S. Army War College Professor of National Security Affairs, and Dr. Jacqueline E. Whitt, U.S. Army War College Professor of Strategy.

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Tami Davis Biddle is Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the WAR ROOM Podcast Editor. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College.

Images: (L-R) Portraits of Giulio Douhet, Billy Mitchell, and Hugh Trenchard; background image is of a Sopwith Camel from the British Royal Air Force. All photos are in the public domain.

Image Credit: Composite assembled by Tom Galvin.

Releases in the “Great Strategists” series:

• ON CARL VON CLAUSEWITZ (EPISODE 1)
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• SUN TZU AND THE ART OF WAR (EPISODE 2)
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• KAUTILYA, THE ARTHASHASTRA, AND ANCIENT REALISM (EPISODE 3)
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• MAHAN AND SEA POWER (EPISODE 4)
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• THREE PIONEERS OF AIRPOWER
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• JOHN BOYD AND THE “OODA” LOOP
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• JOHN WARDEN AND THE ENEMY AS A SYSTEM
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• BEYOND THUCYDIDES: HERODOTUS, XENOPHON & UNDERSTANDING WAR
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF WAR — THUCYDIDES
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
• A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO WAR? ANTOINE-HENRI JOMINI
  (GREAT STRATEGISTS)