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

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

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

4. American military leaders learned from British combat experience 1914-1917
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”

5. 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.

6. WORLD WAR II

7. Neutrality Acts of the 1930s
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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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