Home	Research	For Teachers	HISTORY Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	PRINCIPLES Level 1 Level 2 Level 3	CAREER Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Gallery	Hot Links	What's New!
Web Administration and Tools

Hugh M. Trenchard

Hugh Montague Trenchard was educated at Sandhurst Military Academy, commissioned in the British Army in 1893, and served with distinction throughout the Empire. A courageous leader and dynamic personality, his stentorian voice on parade earned for him the life long much-respected nickname of "BOOM" Tranchard.

Fascinated with flying he applied for flight training. After objections because of his age, then 39, and his size (6'3"), he enrolled in a private flying school in 1912 and earned his pilot certificate in four days. Thus began the career of one of history's most illustrious airmen.

The guns of 1914 summoned Hugh Trenchard to his destiny: command of the Royal Flying Corps in France. His demand for high excellence in training, equipment, and performance, and his personal leadership marked him as a historic figure in air history.

A proponent of strategic air power, he lobbied for an independent Air Force, and for long-range bombers, thus establishing air power as in instrument of national resource and the role model for Air Forces throughout the world. His perception of air power, and the forces he organized and led, played a major role in the allied victory of the World War II. The foundations he established gave victory to the wings of Britain and the United States in 1939-1945 when "BOOM" Trenchard came out of retirement to again serve his country.

Invested 1977 in the International Aerospace Hall of Fame

From "These We Honor," The International Hall of Fame; The San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego, CA. 1984

Send all comments to aeromaster@eng.fiu.edu
© 1995-98 ALLSTAR Network. All rights reserved worldwide.

Funded in part by

From San Diego Aerospace Museum Educational Materials

Updated: February 23, 1999