Giulio Douhet: The Ideas Of The Theory Of Air Power

Great Essays
“It may be said that Douhet was the theorist of the air power, Mitchell the publicist and catalytic agent, and Trenchard the organizational genius.” -Harry H. Ransom.
Air power generates a new revolution in thought, making way for air power theorist like Giulio Douhet, Hugh Trenchard, and Billy Mitchell, and they established the basics of strategic, operational, and tactical employment that will generate influences until our time. The airpower theorists over emphasized the long range bombing and probably leaving out the versatility of its application of air power, “none of the assumptions on which ideas rested was pulled from thin air.” The expectations of the possibilities of air power and the way in which the United States and the United Kingdom presented their arguments reveal how they interpreted the situation around them, and how they tried to promote their own interests. The predictions and prophesies of the interwar air power theorist did not represented the fulfillment that was expected to airpower in the support to Allied
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The main idea was “victory could be achieved by bombing vital center and thus braking his will.” Trenchard made his communication of ideas through internal documents. These ideas were a conditioning factor for the doctrine manuals and of the Royal Air Force foundation. Trenchard assumptions: First, the bomber will always get through; it does not need escort. Second, civilian morale is fragile, but British moral is tougher than the German, and the moral effect is more devastating than the physical effect. Third, the offensive is stronger from the air war. Fourth, target acquisition, and bombing accuracy are manageable problems, night navigation. Finally, Air superiority is a prerequisite for all other military operations. Air exploitation Trenchard want to inflict damage in civilians but with an indirect attack thought the destruction

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