Sir Hugh Dowding and Revolutionary Change during the Interwar Period

Introduction
Military innovation during the Interwar Period (1918-1939) largely occurred through an evolutionary process, gradual improvements in technologies, tactics, and operational concepts. The great powers (Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and United States) all dealt with constrained military budgets; consequently, innovation addressed each state’s perspective on future military conflicts. For the United States and Japan, innovations in naval airpower and amphibious warfare were essential to the conduct of warfare in the Pacific. The offensive-minded German military advanced their land (armored) warfare. Great Britain directed innovation against the threat of blockade and invasion from the sky.
By the mid-1930s, Britain’s Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain prioritized research and development of a homeland defense system above strategic bombing initiatives. This was a controversial decision given the offensive air power doctrine of the time. Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Royal Air Force (RAF) Research and Development and later Fighter Command, quickly emerged as Britain’s most innovative and capable leader to manage this monumental task. The military historian Williamson Murray describes Dowding’s accomplishments as “revolutionary” as Dowding’s Fighter Command capitalized on new technologies and operational concepts to advance the context of air warfare. Dowding’s air defense system was inspired by the pioneering work in radar development, but only Dowding should be credited with acquiring government support, developing a guiding vision, and managing the disparate components that together established the best air defense system of World War II.
Influence with Political Leaders
Sir Hugh Dowding’s influence with the Chamberlain government secured financial support, the critical requirement for innovation. Dowding consequently diverted resources away from Bomber Command, a remarkable achievement given the use of bombers by Germany and Britain during WWI and the universally accepted offensive airpower doctrine. Only Dowding’s vision for air defense addressed Britain’s greatest threat, the German bombing capability. The Chamberlain government trusted Dowding’s assertion that the German bomber was stoppable. His influence also reached into other government institutions, like the Home Office where he maintained a liaison to synchronize efforts. Radar development, fighter development and subsequent developments in navigation, target identification, and the air defense system all trace back to Dowding’s financial maneuvering.
Guiding Vision
Sir Hugh Dowding’s top-down leadership enabled his guiding vision to address both the technical and operational concepts of homeland defense. His contributions to the technical specification of the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters and radar systems resulted in effective coordination between sensors and shooters. This allowed Britain to economize fighters, directing fighters to the right place and the right time. Dowding refined radar operations to feed a command and control hub at Bentley Priory; this connectivity far surpassed Germany’s operation of technically superior, but isolated radar systems. Then, by integrating the defense system into RAF exercises, Dowding was able to improve operational performance. Dowding’s leadership inspired solutions to other homeland defense challenges, including how to distinguish enemy and friendly formations, deter low flying enemy formations, protect shipping vessels, and safely integrate air defense guns. He also prepared for contingencies, including amphibious landings and airborne assaults by the German army. Despite the many critics of his endeavors, Dowding’s vision for homeland defense drove innovation that proved successful during the pivotal Battle of Britain, 1940.
Uncommon Leadership
Sir Hugh Dowding demonstrated uncommon leadership while directing the innovation of Britain’s air defense system. His understanding of the problem was superb and his vision both innovative and achievable. Dowding surrounded himself with a variety of entrepreneurs and visionaries from both civilian and military ranks, most notably members of the Tizard Committee and radar specialist Watson Watt. The military and civilian collaboration proved instrumental for rapid radar development and integration. Dowding also established standards for innovation through his participation in experiments and testing. He also proved adaptable and resilient, especially after the tragedy of the “Battle of Barking Creek” where friendly aircraft were incorrectly identified and destroyed. Williamson Murray describes Dowding’s leadership style as a model for all military officers preparing for future wars.
Conclusion
Dowding’s imagination and leadership enabled the Royal Air Force to enter World War II prepared for the German air threat. Unfortunately, Bomber Command did not achieve success in the first two years of war, but later improved through fighter escorts and navigational and targeting technologies, all Dowding inspired innovations. Dowding challenged the notion of bomber supremacy and prevailed. Even today’s systems for air defense closely resemble the “Dowding System.”

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