The Man Who Took the Rap: Sir Robert Brooke-Popham and the Fall of Singapore (History of Military Aviation)

This is the first biography of Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, a key figure in the early development of airpower, whose significant and varied achievements have been overlooked because of his subsequent involvement in the Fall of Singapore. It highlights Brooke-Popham's role in developing the first modern military logistic system, the creation of the Royal Air Force Staff College and the organisational arrangements that underpinned Fighter Command's success in the Battle of Britain. It challenges longstanding views about his performance as CinC Far East and, based on new evidence, offers a more nuanced narrative that throws light on British and Allied preparations for the Pacific War, inter-Service relations and the reasons for the disastrous loss of air and naval superiority that followed the Japanese attack. It highlights the misguided attempts at deterrence, in the absence of a coordinated information campaign, and the unprecedented security lapse that betrayed the parlous state of the Allied defences. This Is The First Biography Of Sir Robert Brooke-popham, A Key Figure In The Early Development Of Airpower. It Highlights Brooke-popham's Role In Developing The First Modern Military Logistic System, The Creation Of The Royal Air Force Staff College, And The Organizational Arrangements That Underpinned Fighter Command's Success In The Battle Of Britain. Peter Dye Challenges Longstanding Views About Performance As Commander-in-chief Far East And, Based On New Evidence, Offers A More Nuanced Narrative That Sheds Light On British And Allied Preparations For The Pacific War, Inter-service Relations And The Reasons For The Disastrous Loss Of Air And Naval Superiority That Followed The Japanese Attack-- Early Life And Military Service, 1878- 1909 -- Army Staff College And Air Battalion, 1910-1912 -- Royal Flying Corps, 1912-1914 -- The Western Front, 1914-1915 -- Working For Trenchard, 1915-1918 -- Director Of Research, 1919-1921 -- Royal Air Force Staff College, 1922-1926 -- The Fighting Area, 1926-1928 -- Iraq Command, 1928-1930 -- Imperial Defence College, 1931-1933 -- Air Defense Of Great Britain, 1933-1935 -- Inspector General, 1935-1937 -- Governor Of Kenya, 1937-1939 -- World War Ii, 1939-1940 -- Commander-in-chief Far East, 1940 -- Improving Defense Cooperation, 1940-1941 -- Too Great To Be Challenged, 1941 -- Strengthening Malaya's Defenses, 1941 -- Stiffening The Chinese, 1941 -- Building Alliances, 1941 -- An Army Officer With More Recent Experience, 1941 -- Matador, 1941 -- The Fall Of Singapore, 1941-1942 -- The Verdict Of History, 1942-1953. Peter Dye. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is the first biography of Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, a key figure in the early development of airpower, whose significant and varied achievements have been overlooked because of his subsequent involvement in the fall of Singapore. It highlights Brooke-Popham's role in developing the first modern military logistic system, the creation of the Royal Air Force Staff College and the organizational arrangements that underpinned Fighter Command's success in the Battle of Britain. Peter Dye challenges longstanding views about performance as Commander-in-Chief Far East and, based on new evidence, offers a more nuanced narrative that sheds light on British and Allied preparations for the Pacific War, inter-service relations and the reasons for the disastrous loss of air and naval superiority that followed the Japanese attack. “The Man Who Took the Rap” highlights the misguided attempts at deterrence, in the absence of a coordinated information campaign, and the unprecedented security lapse that betrayed the parlous state of the Allied defenses. "This is the first biography of Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, a key figure in the early development of airpower. It highlights Brooke-Popham's role in developing the first modern military logistic system, the creation of the Royal Air Force Staff College, and the organizational arrangements that underpinned Fighter Command's success in the Battle of Britain. Peter Dye challenges longstanding views about performance as Commander-in-Chief Far East and, based on new evidence, offers a more nuanced narrative that sheds light on British and Allied preparations for the Pacific War, inter-service relations and the reasons for the disastrous loss of air and naval superiority that followed the Japanese attack"-- Provided by publisher