Giulio Douhet
Giulio Douhet (1869-1930) was an Italian general and aviation pioneer who played a significant role in the development of military aviation during and after World War I. Initially trained as an artillery officer, Douhet commanded Italy's Aeronautical Battalion from 1912 to 1915, where he advocated for the production of advanced bombers, notably the Caproni bomber. His outspoken criticism of Italy's military strategies led to his court-martial, but he returned to favor after the Italian defeat at Caporetto in 1917, ultimately becoming head of military aviation. Douhet's influential book, "Il dominio dell'aria" (The Command of the Air), published in 1921, argued for the establishment of an independent air force and highlighted the strategic importance of aerial warfare. His ideas significantly shaped military thinking regarding air power and strategic bombing in the interwar period and beyond, marking him as a key figure in the evolution of modern military strategy. Douhet's legacy is complex, reflecting both his vision for air warfare and the controversies surrounding his military career.
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Giulio Douhet
Armed Forces Personnel
- Born: May 30, 1869
- Birthplace: Caserta, Italy
- Died: February 15, 1930
- Place of death: Rome, Italy
Born: May 30, 1869; Caserta, Italy
Died: February 15, 1930; Rome, Italy
Principal war: World War I
Military significance: Douhet was an early and effective advocate of the efficacy of air power, who argued for the importance of strategic bombing.
Although trained as an artillery officer, Giulio Douhet served as commander of Italy’s Aeronautical Battalion from 1912 to 1915 and served in World War I (1914–1918) in that capacity. He was influential even before the outbreak of the war, as evidenced by his successful advocacy of the production of the Caproni bomber. Douhet’s intense and public criticism of Italy’s military performance led to his court-martial. Douhet returned to official favor as head of military aviation after Italy’s defeat at Caporetto (1917) convinced authorities to exonerate him. Douhet’s book, Il dominio dell’aria (1921, The Command of the Air, 1921), was influential after World War I both in and outside Italy. On the basis of this book, many experts argued the importance of an independent air force and warned of the role strategic bombing would inevitably play in future wars.
Bibliography
Douhet, Giulio. The Command of the Air. Washington, D.C.: Air Force History and Museums Program, 1998.
Lyons, Michael J. World War I: A Short History. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1994.