Electronic book text | |
February 17, 2006 | |
9780813137674 | |
English | |
416 | |
32 b/w photos / illus | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
6.00 Inches (US) | |
$35.00 USD, £26.00 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Electronic book text | |
February 17, 2006 | |
9780813171746 | |
English | |
416 | |
32 b/w photos / illus | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
6.00 Inches (US) | |
$80.00 USD | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Why Air Forces Fail
The Anatomy of Defeat
Edited by Robin Higham and Stephen J. Harris
According to Robin Higham and Stephen J. Harris, "Flight has been part of the human dream for aeons, and its military application has likely been the dark side of that dream for almost as long." In the twentieth century, this dream and its dark side unfolded as the air forces of the world went to war, bringing destruction and reassessment with each failure.
Why Air Forces Fail examines the complex, often deep-seated, reasons for the catastrophic failures of the air forces of various nations. Higham and Harris divide the air forces into three categories of defeat: forces that never had a chance to win, such as Poland and France; forces that started out victorious but were ultimately defeated, such as Germany and Japan; and finally, those that were defeated in their early efforts yet rose to victory, such as the air forces of Britain and the United States.
The contributing authors examine the complex causes of defeats of the Russian, Polish, French, British, Italian, German, Argentine, and American air services. In all cases, the failures stemmed from deep, usually prewar factors that were shaped by the political, economic, military, and social circumstances in the countries. Defeat also stemmed from the anticipation of future wars, early wartime actions, and the precarious relationship between the doctrine of the military leadership and its execution in the field.
Anthony Christopher Cain's chapter on France's air force, l'Armée de l'Air, attributes France's loss to Germany in June 1940 to a lack of preparation and investment in the air force. One major problem was the failure to centralize planning or coordinate a strategy between land and air forces, which was compounded by aborted alliances between France and countries in eastern Europe, especially Poland and Czechoslovakia. In addition, the lack of incentives for design innovation in air technologies led to clashes between airplane manufacturers, laborers, and the government, a struggle that resulted in France's airplanes' being outnumbered by Germany's more than three to one by 1940.
Complemented by reading lists and suggestions for further research, Why Air Forces Fail provides groundbreaking studies of the causes of air force defeats.
Why Air Forces Fail examines the complex, often deep-seated, reasons for the catastrophic failures of the air forces of various nations. Higham and Harris divide the air forces into three categories of defeat: forces that never had a chance to win, such as Poland and France; forces that started out victorious but were ultimately defeated, such as Germany and Japan; and finally, those that were defeated in their early efforts yet rose to victory, such as the air forces of Britain and the United States.
The contributing authors examine the complex causes of defeats of the Russian, Polish, French, British, Italian, German, Argentine, and American air services. In all cases, the failures stemmed from deep, usually prewar factors that were shaped by the political, economic, military, and social circumstances in the countries. Defeat also stemmed from the anticipation of future wars, early wartime actions, and the precarious relationship between the doctrine of the military leadership and its execution in the field.
Anthony Christopher Cain's chapter on France's air force, l'Armée de l'Air, attributes France's loss to Germany in June 1940 to a lack of preparation and investment in the air force. One major problem was the failure to centralize planning or coordinate a strategy between land and air forces, which was compounded by aborted alliances between France and countries in eastern Europe, especially Poland and Czechoslovakia. In addition, the lack of incentives for design innovation in air technologies led to clashes between airplane manufacturers, laborers, and the government, a struggle that resulted in France's airplanes' being outnumbered by Germany's more than three to one by 1940.
Complemented by reading lists and suggestions for further research, Why Air Forces Fail provides groundbreaking studies of the causes of air force defeats.
About the Authors
Robin Higham (1925-2015) is professor emeritus of military history at Kansas State University. He has authored and edited many works about aviation history, including The Influence of Airpower Upon History: Statesmanship, Diplomacy, and Foreign Policy Since 1903.
Stephen J. Harris is the chief historian for the Directorate of History and Heritage at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Canada. He coauthored The Crucible of War: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Stephen J. Harris is the chief historian for the Directorate of History and Heritage at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Canada. He coauthored The Crucible of War: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Reviews
"The book contains many interesting insights and interpretations. Why Air Forces Fail is an excellent introduction to the study of military failure in general and air forces in particular."—Francis M. Coan, Journal of America's Military Past
"One of the more interesting and better books on military aviation to appear in the last few years."—Journal of Military History
"I recommend this book to those who are interested in air forces and air power, whether amateur or professional, past, present and future."—Richard Cobbold, Bryanston: The Yearbook
University Press of Kentucky | |
|
|
Electronic book text | |
February 17, 2006 | |
9780813137674 | |
English | |
416 | |
32 b/w photos / illus | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
6.00 Inches (US) | |
$35.00 USD, £26.00 GBP | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Electronic book text | |
February 17, 2006 | |
9780813171746 | |
English | |
416 | |
32 b/w photos / illus | |
9.00 Inches (US) | |
6.00 Inches (US) | |
$80.00 USD | |
v2.1 Reference | |
Other Titles by Robin Higham
Why Air Forces Fail, revised and expanded edition
edited by Robin Higham, Stephen J. Harris
Jul 2016
- University Press of Kentucky
$35.00 USD
- Paperback / softback
The Influence of Airpower upon History
edited by Robin Higham, Mark Parillo, with contributions byJohn H. Morrow, Jr., Patrick Facon, Richard R. Muller, David R. Jones, Rene De La Pedraja, Jeffery S. Underwood, Douglas V. Smith, Kent S. Coleman, Andrew S. Erickson, Mark Pari...
Mar 2013
- University Press of Kentucky
$70.00 USD
- Hardback
$70.00 USD
- Electronic book text
$70.00 USD
- Electronic book text
A Military History of China, updated edition
edited by David A. Graff, Robin Higham, with contributions byEdward L. Dreyer, David C. Wright, Peter Lorge, Ralph D. Sawyer, Paul Lococo, Jr., Miles Yu, Edward A. McCord, Chang Jui-te, William Wei, Larry M. Wortzel, June Teufel Dreyer
Apr 2012
- University Press of Kentucky
$28.00 USD
- Paperback / softback
$28.00 USD
- Electronic book text
$28.00 USD
- Electronic book text
Other Titles by Stephen J. Harris
Why Air Forces Fail, revised and expanded edition
edited by Robin Higham, Stephen J. Harris
Jul 2016
- University Press of Kentucky
$35.00 USD
- Paperback / softback
Other Titles in HISTORY / Military / Strategy
Strategic Studies and Public Policy
Colin S. Gray
Sep 2021
- University Press of Kentucky
$45.00 USD
- Paperback / softback
$45.00 USD
- Electronic book text
America and Guerrilla Warfare
Anthony James Joes
May 2021
- University Press of Kentucky
$30.00 USD
- Paperback / softback
$30.00 USD
- Electronic book text
The Schlieffen Plan
edited by Hans Ehlert, Michael Epkenhans, Gerhard P. Gross, David T. Zabecki
May 2021
- University Press of Kentucky
$80.00 USD
- Hardback
$80.00 USD
- Electronic book text
$80.00 USD
- Electronic book text