British Naval Aviation: The First 100 YearsTim Benbow In 1909 the British Admiralty placed an order for a rigid airship, marking the beginning of the Royal Navy's involvement with airpower. This collection charts the Navy's involvement with aviation over the following century, and the ways in which its rapid expansion and evolution radically altered the nature of maritime power and naval strategy. Drawing on much new historical research, this collection takes a broadly chronological approach which allows a scholarly examination of key themes from across the history of British naval aviation. The subjects tackled include long-standing controversies over the control of naval air power, crucial turning points within British defence policy and strategy, the role of naval aviation in limited war, and discussion of campaigns - such the contribution of the Fleet Air Arm in the Mediterranean and Pacific theatres of the Second World War - that have hitherto received relatively little attention. This collection concludes with a discussion of recent debates surrounding the Royal Navy's acquisition of a new generation of carriers, setting the arguments within an historical context. Taken as a whole the volume offers fascinating insights into the development of a key aspect of naval power as well as shedding new light on one of the most important aspects of Britain's defence policy and military history. By simultaneous addressing historical and current political debates, it is sure to find a ready audience and stimulate further discussion. |
Contents
The First 100 Years | 1 |
1 Seamen or Airmen? The Early Days of British Naval Flying | 7 |
2 Air Force Fleet Air Arm or Armoured Corps? The Royal Naval Air Service at War | 27 |
The Admiralty the Air Ministry and the Role of Air Power | 57 |
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Common terms and phrases
Admiralty aeroplanes air attack air defence Air Force Air Ministry air power Air Staff aircraft carriers airfields airship amphibious argued Ark Royal Army ashore August bases battle battleship bombers Britain British naval aviation British Pacific Fleet Cabinet campaign capability carrier programme carrier-based Chief Churchill Committee conflict cruisers DEFE defence policy Defence Review enemy Fifth Sea Lord fighter Fleet Air Arm fleet carriers flight flying Force H Healey helicopters HMS Victorious Ibid Japanese July land land-based launched London maritime Mediterranean military Minister of Defence Naval Air Service naval aircraft naval aviation Naval Wing Navy’s November October operations Pacific patrol pilots planned Rear Admiral reconnaissance RNAS role Roskill Royal Air Force Royal Flying Corps Royal Naval Air Royal Navy Samson SDSR Sea Lord seaplanes Secretary September ships shore-based Squadron strike aircraft submarines Sueter tactical targets TNA ADM torpedo warfare Zeppelin