February 10, 1923. Kelly Airfield. San Antonio, Texas. US Army Brigadier General Billy Mitchell was a handful for his friends and worse for his enemies. But he was also a bonafide war hero. Given command of the entire American air combat forces in Europe, Mitchell led almost 1500 US and allied planes in an overwhelming air campaign during the battle of St. Mihiel in September 1918. Under his leadership, the Allies established complete aerial superiority and devastated German ground forces. And after the war, Mitchell became an unceasing advocate for air power as the key to victory in future wars. So, when Brigadier General Mitchell made his way to San Antonio to inspect the 3rd Attack Group based out of Kelly Air Field, a demonstration of aerial prowess was very much in order. But to the shock of Mitchell and the sorrow of the San Antonio flyers, four deaths and three crashes would be the legacy of this visit. And as it turns out, Billy Mitchell very well may have been responsible for those deaths. Because after arriving in San Antonio, he had modifications made to the planes and ordered the pilots to execute new combat tactics they have never been trained in. And the last two of those deaths happened today in Texas, right before the eyes of General Billy Mitchell.
Show Notes:
Billy Mitchell, the 3rd Attack Group and the Laredo Project of 1923
Photos of the 3rd Attack Group en route to Laredo – February 9, 1923
The Flight Line at Kelly Airfield
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