The Birth of British Airpower: Hugh Trenchard, World War I, and the Royal Air Force (History of Military Aviation)

The Birth of British Airpower: Hugh Trenchard, World War I, and the Royal Air Force (History of Military Aviation)

The Birth of British Airpower describes how Hugh Trenchard, a man with few leadership skills, became a much-loved and inspirational commander who laid the foundation for British airpower on the Western Front in World War I and created the preconditions for the establishment of the world’s first independent air service, the Royal Air Force. Author Peter Dye explores how friendship can overcome significant personal and character deficiencies and how, by assembling the right senior leadership team, Trenchard achieved greatness. The book also examines how the development of airpower doctrine in World War I owed as much to chance as to careful planning and how air superiority was achieved only through sustained effort, underpinned by an effective and responsive logistic system. Finally, it explains how the ethos of the postwar air force was built around these experiences and the collective effort of all those involved in the air war.  "Peter Dye may be my favorite airpower scholar. Having previously written a fascinating work on logistics in World War I, Dye expands his airpower aperture to give us deep insights into the early Royal Air Force (RAF). His focus on the leadership and professional relationships of the RAF’s father, Sir Hugh Trenchard, greatly expands our understanding of the period, especially key institutional dynamics.  Ultimately, this lively and creative work provides compelling new insights into a well-trodden subject."— Heather Venable , Course Director, Airpower Strategy and Operations, U.S. Air Command and Staff College "While much has been written about the facts, figures and geography of World War I, less has been written about the personalities – with the exception of a few fighter ‘aces’. This excellent book redresses the balance. Peter Dye explores the foundation of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force while examining the character of Hugh Trenchard and his relationship with Maurice Baring, his very different staff officer. A fascinating read and a brilliant analysis."—Air Mshl Sir Roger Austin KCB AFC RAF (Ret.) "This is undoubtedly the most thoughtful and penetrating analysis of Hugh Trenchard yet written. No previous study comes close to getting inside Trenchard’s deeply enigmatic character.  This is far more than a simple biography combining, as it does, insightful understanding of what makes a good leader with a sympathetic but not uncritical analysis of the man.   It is highly recommended to all with an interest in leadership and leaders and their human interface with others."— Sebastian Cox , Head of Air Historical Branch (RAF)   Peter Dye is a graduate of Imperial College and Birmingham University. He served in the Royal Air Force for more than thirty-five years and was awarded the OBE for his work during the First Gulf War, retiring as an air vice-marshal. He was Director General of the Royal Air Force Museum from 2008 to 2014. He has been an Honorary Research Fellow at Birmingham University, a visiting lecturer at Wolverhampton University, and a Verville Fellow at the National Air & Space Museum, Washington, D.C. He lives in Weymouth, England.