Friction and Airpower During WWI
Abstract
Friction has been and will continue to be the impetus behind the evolution of both strategy and tactics in any conflict. This powerful concept provides the basic rationale for doctrine and the categorization of roles and missions of all military forces. By analyzing the use of air power at the strategic and operational levels of war during World War I, the overlooked influence of friction as the basis for combat doctrine is readily seen. This paper examines the major contributions of air power during World War I and the development of air power doctrine from the perspective of friction. This study begins with a discussion of the concept of friction. It then illustrates how the goal of minimizing one's own friction (principally because of the need to decrease uncertainty through reconnaissance and observation) influenced the development of air power. The ensuing discussion on the employment of air power reflects the logical desire of the belligerents to expand their goal of minimizing the impact of friction upon themselves to a more aggressive goal of increasing their opponent's friction (by denying them the ability to perform reconnaissance and observation).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA258339
Entities
People
- Richard G. Cuadros
Organizations
- Air War College