Integration of US marine coprs aviation with the Royal Air Force in First World War: Legacy and impact

[摘要] This thesis examines the precarious early years in Marine Corps aviation, the difficulties between the Americans and British before, and during the First World War and the integration with the Royal Air Force-all to see the positive impact of the integration on the future of Marine aviation. In 1912, the first United States Marine was admitted as a student aviator at the Naval Aviation School in Annapolis, Maryland. Then-1st Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham sparked a movement within the seagoing service, a movement that he shepherded through the earliest days of military aviation into a small combat force that competently performed in the First World War and later solidified its existence through service in the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s. The Marine Corps' aviation component suffered through competition with their Navy brethren's desire to eliminate the whole Corps in the early twentieth century. Under Cunningham's leadership, the Marines arrived in France ready to perform antisubmarine warfare duty only to find themselves without the requisite aircraft. It was this unfortunate event that lead to the Marines service with the Royal Air Force, which in turn provided the Marines with skills that were utilized again during the 'Banana Wars.'

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:School of History and Cultures, Department of History

[关键词] D History General and Old World;D History (General);D501 World War I