British Air Strategy Between the Wars [Hardcover]

Malcolm Smith has done an excellent job of addressing the development of British air power during the interwar period,focusing not just on the theory of air power, but also the practical realities that defined this turbulent period in world history.

The book is divided into three section:

(1) The Development of an Independent Air Force;

This section examines that the transformation of the RAF from its beginnings as the RFC, covering both the development of air power theory as well as the relationship between the RAF and the other Services. What this book offers that is generally neglected in other books dealing with this topic is that, while acknowledging the important role played by Trenchard in shaping inter-war air power, it does not focus solely on the individuals and key thinkers. Rather it views the development of air power, and the associated attempts to cement a place for the RAF in the British military establishment, from an institutional perspective. Referring to the view of the Air Staff, as a collective whole, rather than individuals. The benefit of this focus is that although individuals invariably had a decisive impact on the shaping of air policy in Britain, British Air Policy was a conglomeration of ideas, not those of a single individual.

(2) The RAF and the Appeasement

The section focused on the changes in air policy throughout the 1930s. It covered the development of the various 'Schemes' that were to focus the development efforts of the RAF and aviation industry in Britain. These developments in air policy were viewed in the context of the prevailing circumstances. This included the financial recovery from the Depression, the re-emergence of a militarised Germany, and the rapidly evolving technological landscape of the period. Examining the development of air power in context is necessary to understand why some decisions were made when they were. This is particularly true when trying to understand the shift in priority from bombers to fighters, a topic that is handled beautifully by Smith.

(3) Preparing for War

Section 2 dealt with the 'Schemes' which dealt with the shape of the RAF, this section deals with the Air Plans that would direct the employment of air power in the event of war. Smith examines the different air plans that were created in preparation fro a potential conflict with Germany. In examining these plans, Smith highlights the issues that challenged to effectiveness of each plan. Also in this section is a chapter dealing with the industrial dimension of British interwar air power. In this chapter Smith outlines how the Government sought to ensure it had the necessary industraial capacity to survive a long war should that be required.

I was surprised by what I took out of this book. Generally books on interwar startegy focus largely on the theory of air power and ignore the context in which the theory was developed. Smith's description of how air power developed in the interwar period against the backdrop of the a financial crisis, a deteriorating international situation, and rapidly evolving aviation technology is unique and an important contribution to the literature on this topic. However, I do believe that the title does not describe the book appropriately. Strategy is only a small portion of the book, perhaps a better title would have been "British Air Power Between the Wars".

Given the breadth of the examination, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in British air power, the Appeasement, interwar diplomacy and politics, or the influence of the Depression on defence strategy.