Examples of Airmindedness from America's First Operational Air Campaign

This paper examines airpower in the Battle of St. Mihiel in terms of the principles of war and does so with an airmindedness perspective. The four day long air battle at St. Mihiel is briefly reviewed. Next, the nine principles of war described in the March 1992 edition of Air Force Manual 1-1, Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the United States Air Force are reviewed and specific examples of their application during the St. Mihiel Offensive discussed. The principles: are objective, offensive, unity of command, security, surprise, simplicity, mass, maneuver, and economy of force.


World War I historical records and pilot memoirs were researched for details on the Allied planning and conduct of the air war at St. Mihiel. From this material, examples of the principles of war were taken. Although the principles of war are not immutable, examples of the principles of war (from an airmens perspective) can be found in the first American led battle of World War I. These examples are as valid today as they were in September 1918.