This was done as a demonstration to prove that an airplane could sink a battleship. Much of the US Navy was skeptical that aircraft were a threat to surface vessels.
The test proved airpower-advocate General Mitchell correct, but there was much resistance within the Army and Navy to airpower. Mitchell was eventually convicted by court martial for insubordination for his support of the airplane in military operations.
I had assumed it was something along those lines, but the Mitchell museum was rather light on context alongside the display.
This was done as a demonstration to prove that an airplane could sink a battleship. Much of the US Navy was skeptical that aircraft were a threat to surface vessels.
The test proved airpower-advocate General Mitchell correct, but there was much resistance within the Army and Navy to airpower. Mitchell was eventually convicted by court martial for insubordination for his support of the airplane in military operations.
I had assumed it was something along those lines, but the Mitchell museum was rather light on context alongside the display.