Air power's midwife : logistics support for Royal Flying Corps operations on the Western Front 1914-1918
The development of the British air weapon on the Western Front during the First World War represented a revolution in the way that national resources were employed in exploiting a technological opportunity to achieve tactical and operational advantage. Logistic competence was the precondition for air superiority and the 'modern style of warfare' â indirect, predicted artillery fire. The Royal Flying Corps' logistic staffs, led by Brigadier-General Robert Brooke-Popham, demonstrated considerable agility in meeting the demands of three-dimensional warfare. Sustaining adequate numbers of front-line aircraft required substantial numbers of skilled and semi-skilled personnel, located largely beyond the battle zone, operating at a continuously high tempo while coping with rapid technological change and high wastage. These elements formed a complex, dynamic and integrated network that was also partly self-sustaining, in the form of salvage and repair, with the ability to compensate for shortfalls in aircraft and aero-engine production as well as unpredictable demand. The logistic principles developed on the Western Front provided the foundation for Royal Air Force success in the Second World War and anticipated
Dye, Peter John
D501 World War I ; U Military Science (General)
Air power's midwife : logistics support for Royal Flying Corps operations on the Western Front 1914-1918. The development of the British air weapon on the Western Front during the First World War represented a revolution in the way that national resources were employed in exploiting a technological opportunity to achieve tactical and operational advantage. Logistic competence was the precondition for air superiority and the 'modern style of warfare' â indirect, predicted artillery fire. The Royal Flying Corps' logistic staffs, led by Brigadier-General Robert Brooke-Popham, demonstrated considerable agility in meeting the demands of three-dimensional warfare. Sustaining adequate numbers of front-line aircraft required substantial numbers of skilled and semi-skilled personnel, located largely beyond the battle zone, operating at a continuously high tempo while coping with rapid technological change and high wastage. These elements formed a complex, dynamic and integrated network that was also partly self-sustaining, in the form of salvage and repair, with the ability to compensate for shortfalls in aircraft and aero-engine production as well as unpredictable demand. The logistic principles developed on the Western Front provided the foundation for Royal Air Force success in the Second World War and anticipated
air power logistics support royal corps operation western_front development british air weapon western front first_world_war represent revolution way national resource employ exploit technological opportunity achieve tactical operational advantage logistic competence precondition air superiority modern style warfare indirect artillery fire royal corps logistic staff lead general demonstrate considerable meeting demand three_dimensional warfare sustaining adequate number front line aircraft require substantial_number skilled semi skilled personnel locate largely beyond battle zone operate continuously high tempo cop rapid technological_change high element form complex_dynamic integrated network also partly self sustaining form salvage repair ability compensate shortfall aircraft engine production well unpredictable demand logistic principle develop western_front provide_foundation royal_air_force success second_world_war anticipate