Air and Sea Power in World War I: Combat and Experience in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Navy (International Library of War Studies)

The Great War tore the fabric of Europe apart, killing over 35 million men and challenging the notion of heroism in war, Air and Sea Power in World War I focuses on the experience of World War I from the perspective of British pilots and sailors themselves, to demonstrate that the army-centric view of war studies has been too limited. The Royal Flying Corps, created in 1912, adapted quickly to the needs of modern warfare, driven by the enthusiasm of its men. In contrast, the lack of modernisation in the Royal Navy, despite the unveiling of HMS Dreadnought in 1906, undermined Britain's dominance of the seas. By considering five key aspects of the war experience, this book analyses how motivation was created and sustained. What training did men receive and how effectively did this prepare them for roles that were predominantly non-combative? How was motivation affected by their individual relationship with weaponry development, and how different was defensive service on the Home Front, when in close proximity to ordinary civilian life? Finally, Air and Sea Power in World War I looks at the changing reputation of the services during and after the conflict, and the extent to which these notions were created by the memoirs of pilots and sailors. Featuring new primary source material, including the journals of service men themselves, this book will be essential reading for students and scholars of World War I and of Naval, Aviation and Military History. Publisher's note The Great War Tore The Fabric Of Europe Apart, Killing Over 35 Million Men And Challenging The Notion Of Heroism In War. Air And Sea Power In World War I Focuses On The Experience Of World War I From The Perspective Of British Pilots And Sailors Themselves, To Demonstrate That The Army-centric View Of War Studies Has Been Too Limited. The Royal Flying Corps, Created In 1912, Adapted Quickly To The Needs Of Modern Warfare, Driven By The Enthusiasm Of Its Men. In Contrast, The Lack Of Modernization In The Royal Navy, Despite The Unveiling Of Hms Dreadnought In 1906, Undermined Britain's Dominance Of The Seas. By Considering Five Key Aspects Of The War Experience, This Book Analyses How Motivation Was Created And Sustained. Featuring New Primary Source Material, Including The Journals Of Servicemen Themselves, This Book Will Be Essential Reading For Students And Scholars Of World War I And Of Naval, Aviation And Military History.--publisher's Website. Introduction -- The Royal Flying Corps -- The Royal Navy -- Historiography -- Training -- Royal Flying Corps Training -- Effectiveness Of The Rfc Training Programme -- Royal Navy Training -- Effectiveness Of The Naval Training Programme -- Non-combat & Service Motivation -- Courage -- Coping With Action: Killing -- Coping With Action: Death -- Threats To Motivation: Poor Leadership -- Threats To Motivation: Boredom And Discomfort -- Threats To Motivation: Lack Of Moral Fibre -- Encouraging Motivation: Pride In Service -- Encouraging Motivation: Manliness -- Encouraging Motivation: Comradeship -- Encouraging Motivation: Leisure -- Encouraging Motivation: Personal Control -- Technology -- History Of Technology -- The Royal Flying Corps: The Aircraft Industry -- The Effect Of Technological Invention: Aerial Views -- The Effect Of Technological Invention: Physical Protection -- Pilot Led Innovation: Arming The Aeroplane -- Pilot Led Innovation: Aerial Bombardment -- The Royal Navy -- Preparing A Base -- Civilian Scientists And National Defence -- Submarines -- Anti-submarine Developments -- Home Front -- The Threat -- Life On The Home Front: 1914-1915 -- Combat On The Home Front: The Rnas 1914-1915 -- Combat Preparations: Not Fighting The Zeppelin 1914-1915 -- Combat On The Home Front: Fighting The Zeppelin 1914-1915 -- Life On The Home Front: 1916-1918 -- Combat On The Home Front: Not Fighting The Zeppelin 1916 -- Combat On The Home Front: Aeroplane Raids 1917-1918 -- Servicemen: View Of The Raids -- Representations Of War -- Raf: The Establishment Of A Peacetime Service -- Public Affection -- Heroism And Pilots -- Creating The Myth -- The Navy -- Political And Economic Consequences Of The Naval War -- Naval Inertia And Lost Faith -- Conclusion -- The Contribution Of The Rfc And Navy To Great War Studies. Maryam Philpott. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [238]-254) And Index.