Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-03
Unity Air Force Now!

= ERMAN FORCES nave successfully oCCuItu inc
II formidable island Of Crete almost entirely as an air
operation
Solely as a mater-of military significance this is one
of the most important events of the since II presents
the accomplished fact Of strongly defended position being
invested by arbone troops and of great surface fleet
being overwhelmed by aerial bombing
This takes the hitherto disputed value of modern
air force out Of the realm Of debate and makes mill
tariy automatic that air superiority together with modern
methods Of air command essential OF military success
As if to further prove that point the significant thing
about the great British achievement in sinking the BIS
marck was the impressive coordination of command IN
specific operation by Brtans independently administered
sea and air forces.
This efficiently executed operation made possible
BY the availability Of striking force by both
and air situation attained by letting seamcn run the
navy and armen run the air force.
THE UNITED STATES should take a most profitable
but unfortunately beated example from these historic
events.
In similar situations American forces would be sorey
handicapped by lack of the very elements which
tihHted successes to the German and British forces
The American air force is not unified force, adj
minstered and run by airmen but divided agency,
largely controlled by Notifying admiras the OF the
navy and by Notifying generals in the of the army
The American air force is in fact not an air force
at ALL but subsidiary of the older services dependent Tor
its striking force on admrals and generals who have al
prejudiced against allowing it to have major stature
The United States is the only great power to persist
in holding air power in secondary relationship to naval
and military Establishments with its effectiveness solely
dependent prejudiced and openly antagonisc admin
strators who know little or nothing about aviation
THE UNITED STATES should proceed Immediately and
adequately to repair its past mistakes in this vital
1t should instantly establish an independent, unified
air force with the numbers of planes and kinds of planes
necessary for maximum striking power determined by
competent arnen.
There is dearth of competent airmen
But they have always been broW-beaten and intimi-
dated by the superior authorities of the naval and land
establishments and have only advocated ndepend-
and effective air force the risk of their careers,
but have had the tragic casherng of Col William Mitchell
of the army hanging constantly their heads.
The American people have long since become heartily
ashamed of what done to Colonel Mitchell
They intellectually approve the measure now pend
ing in Congress to clear his name.
But is it not important to comply with the
he advocated?
Mere acknowledgment of his wisdom and vindication
of his not sufficient
IT HAS been said that in pursuing of aiding
Britain and the democraces have been buying time
for defense preparations
Buying time for what?
For persstng in obsolete policies and practices and
for compromising old errors?
Why do not make the best possible of the
time we have thus bought?
Why do we not set up the same type of independent
and efficient air force for the United States that has
present war?