U.S. HEAVY BOMBERS

The airplane was a relatively new tool at the outbreak of WWI. Navies and Armies around the world sought ways to deploy the airplane to seek the advantage over the enemy. Conventional wisdom in the Army saw the airplane as a replacement to the observation balloon as a means to monitor enemy troop movements, and assess their strengths and weaknesses. The aircraft offered many advantages over the observation balloon. Its mobility allowed the aircraft to roam the front lines as the tactical situation required with a minimum of effort. It could penetrate the battlefield deeper to take closer looks, then retire before ground gunners could shoot it down. The evolution of the aircraft was rapid.

Clearly, no infantry commander could tolerate his forces being monitored by the enemy. To counter this threat aircraft were armed and started shooting each other down. New aircraft dedicated to pursuit arrived at the battle line creating a new front.

In addition to observation and pursuit, it was realized that aircraft could even be used to attack ground troops. At first, a pilot, or crewman, carried a few small bombs aboard and would drop them by hand over enemy lines. These bombs were small and used mostly as anti-personnel weapons. This new mission also required a dedicated aircraft, and the bomber was born.

Visionaries within the Army Air Corps saw potential in the bomber. Here existed a weapon that could carry the war deep into enemy territory. It's infrastructure, centers of production and transportation were vulnerable to attack from the air. By destroying an enemy's ability, and will, to wage war the enemy would quickly sue for peace. General Billy Mitchell championed the use of the airplane for use as a strategic bomber, and to have the Army Air Corps become a separate branch of the military. General Mitchell was rebuffed by senior army officials who preferred to keep control of their air arm, and deploy it only in support of ground troops. Not to be denied, General Mitchell continued to push and was eventually court-martialled. Two junior officers, Carl Spaatz and Ira Eaker, who supported Gen Mitchell, saw their careers nearly ruined as well. Fortunately, the damage to their reputations was minimal, and they would be instrumental in seeing Mitchell's dreams eventually come true.

Whether used in a tactical or strategic missions, the bomber was an important weapons delivery system. Through the twenties the bomber continued to evolve while the design of pursuit aircraft failed to keep pace. It was felt technological advances favored the bomber, and that pursuit aircraft served little purpose. They would pose little threat to a well designed, well armed, bomber. This philosophy would prevail until the late 30s.

The Army Air Corps was continually searching for new missions. As the twenties came to a close, the world powers grew increasingly wary of each other. Some even had empirical aspirations. The Washington Treaty of 1922 limited Naval construction by all the major naval powers, some of whom felt the restrictions were too limiting, or unfair. As the 1932 renewal date grew close, many of those nations made it clear they had no intention to extend the treaty. Some had even begun new naval construction programs prior to 1932. A threat to American shores was now real as Navies rearmed. The Army was quick to realize the new threat and saw a perfect opportunity to extend itself and take an active part in national defense.

B17

Aircraft of the 486th

B24

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[WWII A/C]