From Aerobatics to Terror Bombing - Civil Aviation | Between 2 Wars | 1927 Part 2 of 2 - YouTube (2)

and that's mainly because it is exemplary for the aviation situation worldwide.

French, British, German, Soviet airlines were also established in the 20s,

and began flying regular routes in 1920.

Lufthansa was founded in 1926 and aggressively grew into one of the most profitable air companies in Europe,

with one of the best airplanes as well, like the Junkers Ju 52.

However, European air travel was mainly used for colonial routes,

as the European countries were a lot smaller than the US and trains were much easier.

There too commercial airlines were not able to exist without airmail subsidies.

Civil aviation in the 1920s and 1930s lay the groundwork

for the transportation of people in a military context as well.

Concepts, techniques and sometimes even models of airplanes were applied to troop transports

and fighter and bomber airplanes developed rapidly over the years as well.

Many people thought that in future aerial warfare would replace all other branches of the military,

and the German and Italian bombers used for devastation of civilian populations in the Spanish

civil war, or the Japanese ones that terrorized China, showed that every technology has a dark side.

That dark side grew in strength and power, and blossomed when the Second World War broke out

as millions of civilians around the world, people who had nothing to do with the war

found themselves under attack again and again, first by the Axis Powers, but soon by all sides,

their homes and possessions destroyed, or their bodies and their lives ruined by murder from the skies,

as what hopeful pioneers and barnstormers began descended into darkness.

If you would like to see an episode about the aerial warfare and the bombing of civilian targets

you can check out our third episode of The War Against Humanity series - right here.

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Noticed I didn't have a drink this episode? Prohibition...