The Gordian knot of interdependence. A study of interpersonal team dynamics among RAF ground crew during the Western Desert campaign, June 1940 – February 1943.

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the previously neglected area of organisational development dealing with interpersonal team dynamics amongst Royal Air Force (RAF) ground crew during the Western Desert campaign June 1940-February1943.In addressing this lacuna, particular emphasis is placed on the pilot-fitter-rigger team, an integral part of the Desert Air Force and its constituent squadrons. Although the pilot was designated air crew and not ground crew, to disregard his presence and influence on the team dynamic would not represent the team as it functioned. Their combined skills set enabled the Desert Air Force to adapt to the demands of what was then a modern war, waged in the challenging environmental, logistical, and operational conditions of the Western Desert. Via qualitative research this thesis examines the primary question, ‘How did the pilot-fitter-rigger team in the Desert Air Force during the Second World War form a small, resilient, and effective team? ’The thesis also tests the hypothesis ‘Whether or not the team of the pilot-fitter-rigger team in the Desert Air Force during the Second World War constituted a small, resilient, effective team. ’The null hypothesis being, ‘Neither Britishness nor the peculiar and particular desert environment played a significant role in creating the pilot- fitter- rigger small team into a resilient and effective entity.’ This thesis is based primarily on qualitative research, both in terms of organisational development theory and military history contained in both primary and secondary sources relating to human endeavour. The research involves a critical literature review, and where practicable, field visits along with interviews with established historians, technical experts, serving RAF personnel, and Second World War veterans. An element of quantitative data is also employed and considered where logistics, combat strength, and size of air fleets are concerned. The quantitative component is small and synthetic in nature, and therefore does not influence the qualitative data component beyond providing data. This application of new knowledge relating to ground crew in a desert combat situation makes a novel contribution to academic knowledge by building on previously established peace time organisational development theories and conducting new empirical work in the examination of the organisational development of RAF ground crew. This new and novel contribution will be of use to the academic community and researchers at large and organisational development practitioners, when developing an understanding of small team dynamics; as well as military historians and the wider public domain for both educational and leisure research. From the research findings and discussion this thesis concludes that both the research question and hypothesis have been tested and found that the pilot-fitter-rigger team in the Desert Air Force during the Second World War did form a small resilient and effective team. The thesis also found that peacetime organisational development theories also applied in a wartime combat situation, making them, at least in these two contexts, transferable proposition. The thesis tested the null hypothesis and concluded that both Britishness and the peculiar and particular desert environment did play a significant role in creating the pilot- fitter rigger team into a resilient and effective entity.