US Technology and Involvement
The world war that engulfed the European nations in 1914 force-fed the development of other nation’s airpower, but America lagged far behind Europe in airpower advances. The US did not have any planes that could be used on the front line at the end of 1916.
Thus, at the beginning of World War (WW) I, the US had a great supply of pilots, but lacked quality US aircraft for them to fly. US training facilities pumped out pilots ready and willing to serve by the thousands but they had no planes to fly. The situation was not improved as US automobile plants produced hastily designed planes at a snail’s pace.
Because of the dilemma, US pilots flew Allied airplanes. Most of the pilots flew with the “Escadrille Lafayette”, a squadron of American pilots that joined the French Aviation Service.
Over 200 US pilots served with the French and formed the seed bed of experienced pilots at the time. These flyers achieved a great level of success with the Escadrille Lafayette as they shot down 57 German planes and suffered only 9 losses.
The US came into WWI late, in April 1917. By then, it was already too little, too late. Aircraft progressed from box kites to something resembling an airplane. The first pilots experimented with homemade bombs dropped by hand with primitive aiming devices, first attempts at dive bombing and installing radios in planes.
Gen William "Billy" Mitchell
William “Billy” Mitchell stormed onto the scene bearing a great combat record for bravery. A talented air visionary, Mitchell was the youngest captain ever assigned to the American general staff.
He proposed remedies for problems that were years ahead of the present capabilities of airplanes and continually advocated for air power against the wishes of top military brass.
Mitchell witnessed the slaughter in the front line trenches and believed air power was the way to save lives in battle. He became a strong advocate of an independent Air force. Mitchell felt the only way to achieve the full potential of airpower was to use aircraft to attack a nation’s ability and willingness to wage war.
Mitchell’s downfall was that he did not use the chain of command and was not known as a team player. For these reasons, many of Mitchell’s senior officers and peers did not trust him; they were always unsure whether what he was advocating was in the best interest for the air service or for Billy Mitchell.
Battle of Saint Mihiel (12 September 1918)
This was an attack where the US hoped to break through German lines and capture the city of Metz. General Pershing developed the ground offensive and Mitchell created the air offensive plan. Mitchell hoped to show the Army what air power could do.
Instead of spreading planes across the front as was the typical action of the time, he sent in fighters and gained control of the air first. Then, he sent in bombers and followed up with ground attack aircraft.
These new tactics allowed the US to hit ammunition dumps and crossroads at the rear of the German Forces to hurry their retreat. It also allowed the US to play a big role in the offensive. An important outcome of this was that it gave a big boost to US and Allied force morale.
End of WWI (November 1918)
The US Air Service served in WWI only a short time at the end of the war with 45 squadrons, 767 pilots and 756 kills on enemy aircraft. The Air Service lost 289 of their own planes and 237 flyers gave their lives.
WWI showed vitally important results. The Air Service produced the most important weapon—an astonishing crop of future AF leaders. Gen Arnold commanded the base at Rockwell Field, CA that trained most of the great commanders of the time.
Lieutenant’s Ira Eaker and Carl “Tooey” Spaatz trained at Rockwell and became superb leaders. Eaker and Spaatz did not have the fun-loving and outgoing manner of Arnold, but they shared the zeal to build US air power to new heights. They were also key commanders in the greatest air war ever.