British-American Relations “The Union of heart, conviction and common ideals…among the English –speaking peoples” Winston Churchill

With a few notable exceptions a close relationship has existed on a number of levels: ♦ Diplomatic ♦ Political ♦ Economic ♦ Intellectual ♦ by the end of 19 th century military

 Relationship strengthened during World War I.  United States entered War on Allied side - April 6, 1917  military co-operation essential.

American military leaders learned from British combat experience Billy Mitchell “From his friend General Hugh Trenchard, Commander of the British Royal Flying Corps, he learned to think of the airplane as an offensive weapon, best used in giant fleets of bombers striking against the enemy’s homeland”

In September 1918 Mitchell commanded allied group of nearly 1500 airplanes in the first mass use of aircraft for bombing attacks ♦ on enemy supply routes ♦ and in support of ground troops.

WORLD WAR II

During the early days of WW II the US sought to pursue a policy of neutrality. Neutrality Acts of the 1930s President Roosevelt limited in ability to assist embattled Britain.

Destroyer Base Agreement – Sep 2, 1940 Britain’s need for additional destroyers and the United States’ need for additional air and naval bases Lend Lease Act – March 11, 1941 Designed to enable US to aid allies not withstanding the limitations of Neutrality legislation

LEND LEASE Allowed President to lend, lease, or transfer war materials to any country deemed vital to security of the United States Send “guns not sons” Send “billions not bodies” Arnold Plan

Allowed British Pilots to be trained in the US Maxwell and Gunter Fields Army Air Corps devoted 1/3 of its pilot training capacity to training British pilots

First Students arrived August 1941 Class 42 – A 158 British Cadets 30 American Cadets Most of 1942 Gunter primarily British Basic Flying Training School

After graduating from Gunter Advanced Training at: Maxwell Other SEAC Training Fields

POST WAR Period Marshall Plan $13 Billion in Aid to Europe European “economic miracle”

Post War Maxwell Air University established 12 March 1946 Dedication Ceremony 3 September Air Vice Marshal Sir Hugh P. Lloyd keynote speaker

RAF Officer - observer and liaison officer 1948 became official member AU/CC advisory staff – continues through today

British-American Relationship Special Nature Allies in 2 World Wars Mutual support during conflicts in Korea Vietnam Falklands Kosovo Persian Gulf