Up and Away 1907-1942

UP AND AWAY 1907–1942

This volume follows the evolution of U.S. air power from its birth in 1907 to its emergence during World War II as the greatest air force ever conceived. During this period, aviation technology grew by leaps and bounds, evolving from the simple bi-planes of the Wright Brothers to giant bombers and fighter aircraft.

1. The Beginnings

In this chapter, we examine the birth of the Army Air Force, its role during World War I, its subsequent contraction after the war, the struggle of the early advocates of military aviation to persuade the Pentagon to develop an air force, and the beginnings of the modern Air Force during the 1930s.

2. The Global Air War

In this chapter, we trace the development and use of air power in the fi rst three years of World War II. This period saw a massive expansion of American air power, from approximately 200,000 men to more than 2 million, and from approximately 2,500 planes to more than 50,000.