General Introduction

Summary

In Stephen Roskill’s volume Documents Relating to the Naval Air Service: Volume I, 1908–1918, published by the Navy Records Society in 1969, he envisaged a volume on the Second World War and its aftermath that would follow at some time in the future. This is the first of three volumes to cover the planning, policy and operations of the Fleet Air Arm during that war when the potential of Naval aviation was fully realised and the aircraft carrier replaced the battleship as the primary platform in Naval warfare. It is hoped that, just as Roskill’s volume was an inspiration to this author during his research into the Royal Naval Air Service, these volumes will prove of similar interest to historians studying Naval aviation during the Second World War. Useful papers relating to Naval aviation in the early years of the war can also be found in the earlier Navy Records Society volumes by Michael Simpson on Admiral Andrew Cunningham and Admiral James Somerville.

This volume covers the formative period of 1939–41 when the Fleet Air Arm struggled to recover from many of the weaknesses which had resulted from the dual control arrangements and lack of investment during the interwar period, while having to undertake a wide range of operations across the globe. Relations between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force were characterised for much of the interwar period by the former’s struggle to regain full control of its Naval aviation. Finally, as part of the Inskip Award of 1937, it was announced that ship-borne aircraft would revert to full Naval control, but this did not occur formally until 24 May 1939 less than four months before the outbreak of war. Inskip decreed that shore-based aircraft for Naval co-operation would remain under the control of RAF Coastal Command.

In addition, the Royal Navy’s doctrine during the interwar period envisaged rather more limited functions for Naval aviation than would turn out to be the case. Pre-war concepts had focused upon the roles of maritime reconnaissance and strike, the use of carrier aircraft being an adjunct to the decisive role to be played by the battleFleet in engaging enemy forces.