MITCHELL, WILLIAM ("Billy"). Typed letter signed ("Wm. Mitchell") to Lester D. Gardner, of the Gardner, Moffat Co., War Department, Air Service, Washington, D.C., 7 February 1921. One page, 4to, on Mitchell's service imprinted stationery . "THE CONTROL OF SEA LANES WILL BE A QUESTION OF CONTROL OF THE AIR" An important letter, predicting airpower's eventual domination of traditional naval fleets. "Thanks for your letter....I believe Congress is going to take up the whole question of National Defense in a serious and intelligent manner after March 4th. "No one arm [of the service] is going to be discontinued at once and supplanted by another; but the ability of aircraft to do business can not be gainsaid. And in my opinion (which must be proved as we go ahead) the control of sea lanes will be a question of control of the air, as distinguished from control of the water....." At this time, Mitchell's foremost project was an attempt to have the Air Corps bombardment section demonstrate that even capital ships, protected by heavy armor-plate, could be effectively sunk by airplanes. Eventually he got his wish (see notes to the next lot).
MITCHELL, WILLIAM ("Billy"). Typed letter signed ("Wm. Mitchell") to Lester D. Gardner, of the Gardner, Moffat Co., War Department, Air Service, Washington, D.C., 7 February 1921. One page, 4to, on Mitchell's service imprinted stationery . "THE CONTROL OF SEA LANES WILL BE A QUESTION OF CONTROL OF THE AIR" An important letter, predicting airpower's eventual domination of traditional naval fleets. "Thanks for your letter....I believe Congress is going to take up the whole question of National Defense in a serious and intelligent manner after March 4th. "No one arm [of the service] is going to be discontinued at once and supplanted by another; but the ability of aircraft to do business can not be gainsaid. And in my opinion (which must be proved as we go ahead) the control of sea lanes will be a question of control of the air, as distinguished from control of the water....." At this time, Mitchell's foremost project was an attempt to have the Air Corps bombardment section demonstrate that even capital ships, protected by heavy armor-plate, could be effectively sunk by airplanes. Eventually he got his wish (see notes to the next lot).
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
