Independent USAF formed 1920

In August 1919 Senetor Harry New introduced legislation to create an independent United States air force. What if this bill succeeded and the USAF was form in either 1920 or 1921. For the purposes of this TL the USN keeps all it's aviation assets and the USAF is simply the USAAC split off into it's own service under the civilian control of the Department of Aeronautics.

How much changes and equally importantly how much stays the same?
 
I'd think the "Airpower" enthusiasts/Bomber Barons would have to switch branches in that case, but IDK whether the fighter community would leave the Army or not. We might see different roundels, unit designations and rank structures from OTL, out of a desire to prove themselves "different" from the Army and develop their own identity.
 
I'd think the "Airpower" enthusiasts/Bomber Barons would have to switch branches in that case, but IDK whether the fighter community would leave the Army or not. We might see different roundels, unit designations and rank structures from OTL, out of a desire to prove themselves "different" from the Army and develop their own identity.

It'd be a straight transfer of the army's aviation assets to their own independent service, bombers, fighters and all. Ranks and roundels would stay the same as they did when other army air corps became air forces. I'm more concerned with how this would affect operational matters and commands like Pearl Habor and the Phillipines in the 1940's.
 
Billy Mitchell would be very happy...and may not get court martialed...of course this means one less movie role for Gregory Peck and one less propaganda film for Disney.
Would CAP be sent over to the USAF at the beginning instead of the office of Civillian Defense?
 
An independent USAF during the 1920s will mean even more emphasis on the ideals of Douhet and others - and a concentration on stratregic bombing even more than OTL. Support for ground troops, medium attack etc. will take even more of a backseat than it did OTL. This will not be a good thing for the USA as WW2 starts.
 
An independent USAF during the 1920s will mean even more emphasis on the ideals of Douhet and others - and a concentration on stratregic bombing even more than OTL. Support for ground troops, medium attack etc. will take even more of a backseat than it did OTL. This will not be a good thing for the USA as WW2 starts.

We could get around that by having some intensive lobbying by the army in Congress. Either the USAF devotes more resources to ground support of the USA get's it's own air force like the USN.
 
We could get around that by having some intensive lobbying by the army in Congress. Either the USAF devotes more resources to ground support of the USA get's it's own air force like the USN.

Which would have some...shall we say...interesting follow on effects when it is discovered that yes you do need something other than Strat Bombers. I can see the scene...now General Billy Mitchell having to go hat in hand to oh-say Omar Bradly head of Army Aviation to get some fighters in 1942 when he figures out that is B-17's can't be self-escorting. :p

Tom.
 
Would it be possible for the Bombers and high altitude fighter to get split off, but for the rest of the aircraft to remain part of the army air corps?
 
I can see the scene...now General Billy Mitchell having to go hat in hand to oh-say Omar Bradly head of Army Aviation to get some fighters in 1942 when he figures out that is B-17's can't be self-escorting. :p

"Schadenfreude Airlines paging General Mitchell... General Mitchell to the white courtesy phone, please..."

I love to bring a bit of irony to my AH :D
 
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