Learning to Fly: The Royal Flying Corps and the Development of Air Power

David  Jordan

Learning to Fly: The Royal Flying Corps and the Development of Air Power

David Jordan

Defence Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

The history of Britain’s air services in the First World War has long been coloured by a fascination with fighter ‘aces’. Although scholarship over the last 20 years has challenged this perception, the work of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force is still often seen through the lens of air fighting. While the struggle for control of the air was of great importance, it arose from the need to ensure freedom of action for those supporting troops on the ground. This article examines how the support roles – reconnaissance, artillery observation and attack – developed within the RFC, and their interaction with the contest for air superiority. It highlights the growing importance of aircraft to British operations between 1914-1918, how air power was integrated into the land battle and the uneven way lessons were learned and implemented as the RFC and RAF developed into a highly effective force.

Original language	English
Article number	1
Pages (from-to)	8-31
Journal	British Journal for Military History
Volume	4
Issue number	2
Early online date	4 Feb 2018
Publication status	Published - Feb 2018

Keywords

Air
Power
Airpower
First World War
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
World War One
Hugh Trenchard

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Learning to Fly The_JORDAN_Epub4Feb2018_GOLD VoR(CC BY NC ND)Final published version, 218 KBLicence: Other

http://bjmh.gold.ac.uk/article/view/786/908Licence: Other

Cite this

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Learning to Fly: The Royal Flying Corps and the Development of Air Power

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