Jenkins, Timothy Neil (2014). The evolution of British airborne warfare: a technological perspective. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.
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Jenkins14PhD.pdf
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Abstract
The evolution of British airborne warfare cannot be fully appreciated without reference to the technological development required to convert the detail contained in the doctrine and concept into operational reality. My original contribution to knowledge is the detailed investigation of the British technological investment in an airborne capability in order to determine whether the development of new technology was justifiable, or indeed, entirely achievable.
The thesis combines the detail contained in the original policy for airborne warfare and the subsequent technological investigations to determine whether sufficient strategic requirement had been demonstrated and how policy impacted upon the research programme. Without clear research parameters technological investment could not achieve maximum efficiency and consequent military effectiveness. The allocation of resources was a crucial factor in the technological development and the fact that aircraft suitability and availability remained unresolved throughout the duration of the war would suggest that the development of airborne forces was much less of a strategic priority for the British than has previously been suggested.
Ultimately, despite the creation of a dedicated research institution in 1942 (Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment), and the development of specialist hardware such as the assault glider, the British did not possess the material resources required for the large-scale deployment of airborne troops. Analysis of the technology has revealed that the development of airborne warfare was as much for the purpose of psychological warfare and British morale as it was for offensive operations.
| Type of Work: | Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.) | ||||||
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| Award Type: | Doctorates > Ph.D. | ||||||
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| College/Faculty: | Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Arts & Law | ||||||
| School or Department: | School of History and Cultures | ||||||
| Funders: | None/not applicable | ||||||
| Subjects: | D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain T Technology > TL Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics U Military Science > U Military Science (General) |
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| URI: | http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/4804 |
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