
Aerial Warfare Has Dominated War-making For Over 100 Years, And Despite Regular Announcements Of Its Demise, It Shows No Sign Of Becoming Obsolete. In This Very Short Introduction Frank Ledwidge Offers A Sweeping Look At The History Of Aerial Warfare, Introducing The Major Battles, Crises, And Controversies Where Air Power Has Taken Centre Stage, And The Changes In Technology And Air Power Capabilities Over Time. Highlighting The Role Played By Air Power In The First And Second World Wars, He Also Sheds Light On The Lesser-known Theatres Where The Roles Of Air Forces Have Been Clearly Decisive In Conflicts, In Africa, South America, And Asia. Along The Way, Ledwidge Asks Key Questions About The Roles Air Power Can Deliver, And Whether It Is Conceptually Different From Other Forms Of Combat. Considering Whether Bombing Has Ever Been Truly Effective, He Discusses Whether Wars Can Be Won From The Air, And Concludes By Analysing Whether There Is A Future For Manned Air Power, Or If It Is Inevitable That Drones Will Dominate 21st Century War In The Air. About The Series: The Very Short Introductions Series From Oxford University Press Contains Hundreds Of Titles In Almost Every Subject Area. These Pocket-sized Books Are The Perfect Way To Get Ahead In A New Subject Quickly. Our Expert Authors Combine Facts, Analysis, Perspective, New Ideas, And Enthusiasm To Make Interesting And Challenging Topics Highly Readable. Previously Published In Hardback As Aerial Warfare: The Battle For The Skies.
This book investigates the enduring strategic relevance of aerial warfare and whether air power can independently determine the outcome of modern conflicts. Frank Ledwidge, a former military officer and academic, utilizes a historical framework to evaluate the evolution of air power from its inception to the present day. He synthesizes major military engagements, technological shifts, and geopolitical crises to assess the effectiveness of bombing campaigns and the conceptual distinctiveness of aerial combat. The analysis challenges common assumptions regarding the decisiveness of air forces in global theaters.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts recognize this work as a concise, accessible entry point for understanding the strategic complexities of air power. Readers frequently note that the prose is dense with historical context while remaining approachable for those new to military studies.
Page Count:
152
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192526340
ISBN-13:
9780192526342
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