Early Operations Research in World War One: Viscount Tiverton and the Strategic Bombing of Germany

Operations Research was applied extensively to the analysis of military tactics and strategy both in Britain and the United States in World War Two following its acknowledged contribution to the 'Air Defence of Great Britain' in 1940. World War One was also notable for the application of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Military operations research (Alexandria, Va.) Va.), 2004-01, Vol.9 (2), p.5-15
Main Author: Kirby, M. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aircraft
Bombings
Bombs
Military aviation
Military operations
Military strategy
Military tactics
Naval warfare
Operations research
World wars
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Summary:Operations Research was applied extensively to the analysis of military tactics and strategy both in Britain and the United States in World War Two following its acknowledged contribution to the 'Air Defence of Great Britain' in 1940. World War One was also notable for the application of the 'scientific method' to the waging of war. This was especially the case in relation to the anti-U-boat offensive in the North Atlantic and the tactics of the field armies on the Western Front. The present paper analyzes the role of Lord Tiverton as an OR pioneer in the area of military aviation with particular reference to the concept of strategic, or systematic bombing. Although Tiverton's recommendations were never implemented during World War One, they were entirely consistent with the strategic role allotted to the Royal Air Force from its formation in 1918 until the end of World War Two. The research for the paper is based upon the collection of Tiverton's papers held by the Aviation Records Department of the Royal Air Force Museum, Colindale. All quoted material and illustrations are derived from the Tiverton Papers.
ISSN:1082-5983
2163-2758
DOI:10.5711/morj.9.2.5