How Strategic Airpower has Changed the World Order (ePub)
From the 100th Bomb Group in 1943 to the Falklands and Beyond
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
File Size: 10.2 MB (.epub)
Pages: 192
ISBN: 9781036106584
Published: 4th April 2024
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In this book, the history and utility of land- and carrier-based strategic airpower is brought to life by the gallant exploits and photographs of B-17 aircraft “Quittin’ Time” and of its Navigator, “Fred” Julian in the Second World War, and by the unforgiving and unswerving dedication of “Sharkey” Ward and his Sea Harrier team in the Falklands war.
The overarching message is that the strategic airpower lessons of the past eight decades underpin the urgent need for the UK government to invest more wisely in its Fleet so that the latter may work effectively in conjunction with the US Navy on the global mission to deter those that would harm us, and to maintain the freedom of passage of all shipping throughout the global commons.
The authors show how a maritime deterrence strategy in a challenging world is critically underpinned by strategic air power at sea and on land.
I have just read [this] book in one sitting; informative, logical and persuasive. A veritable "tour de force" which adds to our knowledge and appreciation of events past and challenges ahead.
Commander Paul Fisher
I was particularly interested in the US perspective, of which I was mainly ignorant and the slightly internecine Falkland TG aviation tangles. I have had no qualms about my distaste and mistrust of the Crabs; the book confirmed all that I knew.
I was impressed with the strategic conclusions which not only confirms my view about Whitehall and what needs to be done. I take nothing away from the overt support for the trans-Atlantic alliance, I would just add that, although admittedly a tangential matter for this book, the dependence upon the efforts of European continental powers to make up the whole alliance of northern hemisphere democracies is pivotal.
I believe passionately that a European dimension to sea based air already exists and should be further exploited - CDG is a single but highly capable fixed wing platform which demonstrates its interoperability with the USN regularly. It already has Cats and Traps and is nuclear powered in stark contrast to the under equipt QE Class!
Anyway, I don't want to take anything away from an excellent book which should be staff-course reading across the UK armed services.
About Nigel David MacCartan-Ward
Commander “Sharkey” Ward flew the Phantom F-4K from the deck of HMS Ark Royal IV before going to the Ministry of Defence to oversee the final development of the Sea Harrier fighter aircraft. He was then appointed to receive the aircraft into service and to bring the aircraft and its crews up to full combat readiness. His success as “Mr. Sea Harrier” was demonstrated in the Falklands air war, where he served with distinction in command of 801 Naval Air Squadron.
About Anthony R Wells
Dr Anthony Wells is unique insofar as he is the only living person to have worked for British Intelligence as a British citizen, and for US Intelligence as a US citizen at the highest level, and to have also served in uniform at sea and ashore with both the Royal Navy and the US Navy. He was trained and mentored in the late 1960s by the very best of the Second World War intelligence community, including Sir Harry Hinsley, the famous Bletchley Park codebreaker.