English

DTIC ADA299515: Armed for Success: External Factors of the World War I Aces.

This thesis examines the external factors relating to the success of the World War I Aces. Five representational figures were chosen and five external factors were evaluated through historical analysis. The representational figures are Hauptmann Oswald Boelcke (Germany), Captain Rene Fonck (France), Colonel William "Billy" Bishop (Canada), Major Edward Mannock (Great Britain) and Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker (United States). The external factors include background, combat environment, aircraft, opportunity for tactical innovation, and training opportunity. This study provides five conclusions regarding the World War I Aces and the effects of their external factors. First, they came from radically diverse social and economic backgrounds. Second, their combat environment was dynamic in nature. Third, their aircraft were generally equal to, if not superior, than their adversary's. Fourth, an opportunity for tactical innovation existed; however, the Aces responded in two sharply contrasting ways. Specifically some persisted in individual combat and personal recognition, while others achieved success while developing formation tactics and air combat pilot training. Fifth, the Aces wer

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