The Empire Air Training Scheme: Identity, Empire and Memory

Colonel Mark Wells, an experienced airman, offered a more detailed outlineof specific dangers. Wells outlined the dangers of flying as what ‘makes air combat asingular experience conducted in a dangerous environment.’ 65 Wells identifiednumerous areas of danger. First, was the equipment itself. Fast advances inaeronautical design needed better training and more intelligent operators. Higheraltitudes needed oxygen support equipment and heavier clothing. Long-range missionsrequired endurance. The weight of bombs, fuel loads, and defensive armaments madetake-off treacherous. Second, Wells identified the weather, covering dense fog,turbulence, ice, cross winds, restricted visibility, moonlight, frozen instruments.Weather conditions impacted on the human element reduced bombing accuracy, madeformation flying impossible, restricted visibility, meant instrument flying, whichneeded intense concentration, no visual reference and possible forms of spatialdisorientation. Such conditions resulted in pilot error ending in crashes. Above all theskills of the ground maintenance crew were essential for the safe functioning of theaircraft. The third element in aerial combat was the battlefield itself. Wells describesits three dimensional nature and the size of the battlefield meant physical exertionmissions over 10 hours where aviators had to remain vigilant for enemy threats fromall directions. The last element was the form of combat itself between fighter tofighter, fighter to bomber and then the constant pressure of flak or anti aircraft gunsable to destroy aircraft but inflicting damage of shrapnel wounds. All was carried outat high speed involving accuracy and maneuvering, involving the pilot’s mentalagility. It was a time of unrelenting confusion and chaos. These were the physicalconditions surrounding aerial war.The psychological stress was also a new phenomena directly linked to theconditions generated by the technical advances of air war. Men suddenly becameaware of the devastating violence of war. For many it meant fighting a personal battlebetween fear and duty.66There is evidence to support the contention that firing itselfrequired some preliminary psychological preparation largely because the target was65 Mark Wells, Courage and Air Warfare 28.66 Mark Wells, 60.38