<div><B>An updated and expanded photographic history of the famed military aircraft&mdash;and the men who flew them.</B><BR />  <BR /> Aviation historian Norman Franks updates his classic book, <I>The Lancaster</I>, with new information and photos. The Avro Lancaster was a four-engine heavy bomber that played a crucial role in World War II, and this illustrated volume records the history of thirty-five of them, supported by stories from aircrew members.<BR />  <BR /> The most famous of the bombers is &ldquo;Queenie&rdquo; (W5868), the only one of these Lancasters that survives, now in the Bomber Command Hall at the Royal Air Force Museum in London. <I>Ton-Up Lancs</I> delves into some of the controversies surrounding Queenie and other Lancasters, and also includes detailed listings of each raid these thirty-five Lancasters flew during from 1942 through 1945, together with the names of the pilot and crew that took them on sorties all over Hitler&rsquo;s Third Reich and Northern Italy, on support missions before and after D-Day in June 1944, and attacks on V1 rocket launch sites situated in Northern France. The book also offers a view from one of the Lancaster&rsquo;s former skippers on what it was like to fly a bomber tour of operations in Bomber Command.<BR />  </div>

Ton-Up Lancs

<div><B>The definitive biography of the WWI fighter pilot Edward &ldquo;Mick&rdquo; Mannock&mdash;and a revealing investigation into his mysterious fate.</B><BR />  <BR /> Although he was arguably the highest scoring RAF fighter pilot of the First World War, Edward &ldquo;Mick&rdquo; Mannock&rsquo;s life, particularly his death, is still shrouded in mystery. Did he achieve as many victories as are sometimes ascribed to him? How did he die? Where did he die? And more pertinently, where do his remains now lie?<BR />  <BR /> Investigative historians Norman Franks and Andy Saunders have assessed all the evidence and cut through the speculation to build a complete picture of the man and his achievements as a fighter pilot. Having unearthed much new and enlightening information, they present a truly balanced overview of his life&mdash;and also reveal for the first time exactly where he fell in battle a century ago.<BR />  <BR /><I>Includes photographs</I><BR />  </div>

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Mannock

<div><B>The story of the World War I fighter pilot the Red Baron himself sought to emulate . . .</B><br/><br/>German air ace Oswald Boelcke was a national hero during World War I. He was the youngest captain in the German air force, decorated with the Pour le Mérite while still only a lieutenant, and credited with forty aerial victories at the time of his death.<br/><br/>Becoming a pilot shortly before the outbreak of the war, Boelcke established his reputation on the Western front first in reconnaissance, then in scouts, before finally becoming the best known of the early German aces, along with Max Immelmann. After Immelmann’ s death, he was taken off flying and traveled to the Eastern front where he met a young pilot called Manfred von Richthofen. Transferred back to the Western Front in command of Jasta 2, he remembered von Richthofen when new small fighting units were formed and chose him as a pilot for his new Staffel. Boelcke was tragically killed in a flying accident during combat in October 1916, although not before the reputation of his unit, together with his own, had been firmly established forever.<br/><br/>This absorbing biography was written with the blessing of Boelcke’s family. Professor Werner was given access to his letters and other papers, and presents here a rounded and fascinating portrait of a great airman and a remarkable soldier who became known as the father of the German Jagdflieger.<br/><br/>This edition has been completely reoriginated while remaining faithful to the language of the time of its original translation from German in the 1930s.</div>

Knight of Germany

<div>By the close of 1916, the air war over France was progressing amazingly. The Royal Flying Corps, the French Air Force and the opposing German Air Service, were all engaged in fierce aerial conflict and the Allied air forces were following a particularly successful if aggressive policy. They were taking the war to the Germans by constantly crossing the massive trench system that stretched from the North Sea to the Swiss border. With observation and bombing aircraft requiring constant protection from the German fighter Jastas, the fighter aces on both sides soon gained publicity and fame as a result of their daily engagements. This book explores the many ways in which fighter pilots developed tactics in order to outdo the opposition in the fight for allied victory. In so doing, they achieved high honors on account of their prowess in the skies. It also looks at the development of militarized flight during the course of these key years, revealing how each side constantly endeavored to improve their aircraft and their gunnery.By early 1918 the Americans were also starting to take part in the war against Germany, and any number of US citizens were joining both the French Air Service as well as manning their own Aero Squadrons. This publication covers the development of American air combat, whilst also recording the efforts of some of their ace pilots flying both British and French aircraft with precision and skill.</div>

Great War Fighter Aces, 1916–1918

<div>The history of WWI aviation is a rich and varied story marked by the evolution of aircraft from slow moving, fragile, and unreliable powered kites, into quick, agile, sturdy fighter craft. At the same time there emerged a new kind of 'soldier', the fighter pilots whose individual cunning and bravery became crucial in the fight for control of the air. Dog-fight traces this rapid technological development alongside the strategy and planning of commanders and front-line airmen as they adapted to the rapidly changing events around them and learned to get the best from their machines. Often, this involved discovering and employing tactics instinctively to stay alive. Based on the author's personal correspondence with a number of WWI fighter pilots and aces, and drawing on published contemporary memoirs, this is an authoritative and lively history that serves as a captivating tribute to the brave pilots of both sides.</div>

Dog Fight

<div>Manfred von Richthofen became a fighter pilot on the Western Front in August 1916. By January 1917, Richthofen had shot down fifteen aircraft had been appointed commander of his own unit. He painted the fuselage of his Albatros D-III a bright red and was nicknamed the Red Baron. In June 1917, Richthofen was appointed commander of the German Flying Circus. Made up of Germany's top fighter pilots, this new unit was highly mobile and could be quickly sent to any part of the Western Front where it was most needed. Richthofen and his pilots achieved immediate success during the air war over Ypres during August and September. Manfred von Richthofen was killed on 21st April 1918. Richthofen had destroyed 80 allied aircraft, the highest score of any fighter pilot during the First World War. This book is divided into three sectors of the WWI front line in which von Richthofen operated. Each area is conveniently reached within hours. Airfield sites, memorials and the graves of Manfred's famous victims are described and directions for the battlefield walker are included with information on related museums and historic sites with special association with this most famous of fighter pilots.</div>

In the Footsteps of the Red Baron

<div>During the First World War, Italy was on the side of their British Allies and their fight was against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, bordering on Austria. In October 1917, the Austro-Hungarians managed to push the Italians back during the battle of Caporetto. With the danger signs obvious, both Britain and France sent reinforcements.Britains Royal Flying Corps sent three squadrons of Sopwith Camel fighters, plus one RE8 reconnaissance squadron, and these Camel squadrons fought gallantly over the plains and mountainous regions of northeast Italy, sharing the air battle with aircraft of the Italian Air Force.Despite the difference in landscape between France and Italy, the Camel pilots employed the same air-fighting tactics and assisted in ground support missions that proved just as destructive in Italy as they had in France. Accompanied by a large selection of photographs depicting the men and the machines that saw action, this book is a welcome addition to Pen &amp; Swords Images of War series.</div>

Sopwith Camels Over Italy, 1917–1918

<div>It is a recognized fact that, had the war gone badly for the Allies on the India/Burma front, and had the Japanese succeeded in invading the Indian Continent, the outcome of the war would have been entirely different. Yet despite this, the campaign on the Burma front is offered surprisingly scant coverage in the majority of photo-history books. This new book, from respected military historian and author Norman Franks, attempts to redress the balance, noting the importance of this particular aerial conflict within the wider context of the Second World War.Franks takes as his focus the pilots, aircraft and landscapes that characterized the campaign. Photographs acquired during the course of an intensive research period are consolidated into a volume that is sure to make for a popular addition to the established Images of War series. Many unpublished photographs feature, each one offering a new insight into the conflict as it unfolded over Burmese skies. The archive offers a wealth of dynamic images of RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires in flight, with shots of both the aircraft and the pilots employed during this challenging conflict. To fly and fight in Burma, pilots really had to be at the top of their game. The Japanese enemy certainly weren't the only problem to contend with; weather, poor food, incredible heat and all its attendant maladies, jungle diseases, tigers, elephants, fevers... The Japanese were the real enemy but the British pilots had so much more to deal with. And they did it for years. In Britain, a pilot could look forward to a break from operations every six months or so on average. In Burma, pilots first employed in 1941 were still flying operations in 1944. The collection represents a determination on the author's part to record the part played by these resilient and skilled RAF fighter pilots, the contribution that they paid in supporting General Slim's 14th Army and the part they ultimately played in defeating the Japanese attempts to break through into India. These efforts, all paramount and imperative to success, are celebrated here in words and images in a volume sure to appeal to Spitfire and Hurricane enthusiasts, as well as the more general reader.</div>

RAF Fighter Pilots Over Burma

<div><B>A pictorial history of the infamous German World War I air force pilot, by the author of <I>Dieppe: The Greatest Air Battle</I>.</B><BR /><BR /> There are numerous books covering the life of Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, and he has remained at the forefront of World War I studies. In commemoration of one hundred years since the beginning of the war, author Norman Franks introduces a new collection of photographs covering the entire span of von Richthofen&rsquo;s war (most of which will have been seen but spread over a variety of literature about First World War flying), consolidated in one book.<BR /><BR /> In the time since the release of Franks earlier titles on a similar theme, a constant trickle of new information has filtered down to him. Although none of it specifically challenges the conclusions drawn in earlier publications, in consolidating them here, he&rsquo;s been able to preserve some significant notes of interest.<BR /><BR /> Following several visits to Belgium and Northern France, Franks has managed to acquire additional images, illustrating the places in which the Red Baron lived and fought between 1916 and 1918. This collection covers the entire span of von Richthofen&rsquo;s recorded history in pictures, some new and lesser known, some iconic and widely circulated, and all housed here under one roof for the very first time.<BR /><BR /><B>&ldquo;If you are a Red Baron fan, this book is a must-have. Even if you are new to the topic, the text provides an excellent introduction to his career.&rdquo; &mdash;The Miniatures Page</B><BR /><BR /><B>&ldquo;In summation, <I>The Red Baron: A History in Pictures</I> is recommended.&rdquo; &mdash;Over the Front</B></div>

The Red Baron

<div>When the Second World War began in 1939 it was thought that it would be fought along the same lines as the First World War, with the Allied air forces operating from both Britain and France. With the fall of Britains Northern European Allies in May 1940, all that changed.  From then onwards, RAF aircraft operating over enemy and enemy-held territory necessitated flights across both the North Sea and the English Channel.This meant that aircrew in difficulties would be forced to come down in both of these bodies of water. Therefore it was essential that some form of rescue service be made available to fish these airman from the water.  But there were no aircraft in existence at that time that were designed for such a task: initially all that could be done was to use land planes to help locate anyone in the water, drop a dinghy to them, and then guide a boat to their position.Obviously a quicker and more reliable means of rescue was needed, and this came in the shape of the Supermarine Walrus, an amphibian airplane that could land on both sea and land.  Several Flights of these airplanes were set up around the coast of Britain, concentrated mainly around the south and southeast of England. The Air Sea Rescue airmen did a magnificent job from 1941-45, rescuing hundreds of downed RAF and USAAF aircrew.  It took a special type of airman to undertake these rescues  and another kind of courage.As the war in North Africa developed, Walrus aircraft were needed in the Mediterranean, and later on either side of the Italian coast. Walrus squadrons operated just as successfully in this theater as around Britain. Aircrew operating over any stretch of water could always count on the ASR boys coming to their aid. This is their story.</div>

The RAF Air-Sea Rescue Service in the Second World War

<div>Aviation historians will know that the Avro Lancaster bomber is the most famous aircraft to have fought with RAF Bomber Command during World War Two. They will know too that, of the 7,366 that were built, over 3,400 were lost on operations and a further 200 plus were destroyed and written-off in crashes. Operational sorties flown totalled more than 156,000, carrying over 600,000 tons of bombs to targets all over Europe. But this came at a terrible cost. With extensive losses on some night operations, occurring when bombers were pitted against a dedicated German night-fighter arm (as well as anti-aircraft fire) it is not surprising, or even incredible, that just 35 Lancasters managed to complete 100 or more sorties during the course of the war. A number of them actually achieved well over one hundred sorties, and a few were tragically lost after reaching this amazing figure.This book covers the history of these 35 incredible Lancasters, featuring many photographs of both aircraft and crew members drawn together in an effort to create a photographic record of these veterans. In addition, there is a section dedicated to many Lancasters that, whilst not achieving this almost magic total, either through eventual loss or the ending of the war, did achieve a large number of operations. Pictures of these have been added so that their achievements, as well as the achievements of the crews who flew in them, can be viewed together.</div>

Veteran Lancs

<div><B>An extensive history of the Royal Air Force&rsquo;s Circus offensive against Nazi Germany in World War II, by the author of <I>Jasta Boelcke</I>.</B><BR /><BR /> Following the Battle of Britain, the RAF started taking the air war to the Germans. A small number of bombers, escorted by large numbers of fighters, tried to force the Luftwaffe into battle. Much air combat ensued, but it was not until Germany invaded Russia in June, 1941, that operations were stepped up in an effort to take pressure off Stalin&rsquo;s Russian Front. Two major German fighter groups, JG26 and JG2, were, however, more than able to contain the RAF&rsquo;s operations, generally only intercepting when conditions were in their favor. As author Norman Franks describes, over-claiming combat victories by pilots of both sides is amazing, and several of the top aces had inflated scores. Fighter Command, however, lost massively even though they believed they were inflicting equal, if not better, losses on the Luftwaffe. This battle of attrition was virtually a reverse of the 1940 battles over England, and pilots who had to bail out over France, were lost completely.<BR /><BR /> The book covers the 100+ Circus operations and their accompanying fighter sweeps in detail, while also mentioning lesser operations where the RAF were concerned. The tactics employed by both sides are examined and show how each fighter force quickly adapted to changing conditions tempered by experiences gained in air combat.</div>

Fighter Commands Air War, 1941

<div>'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'  Seventy-five years on the unforgettable words of Winston Churchill ring as powerfully as they did in August 1940 when the young men of the RAF stood as the last line of defence against Hitler's far more powerful Luftwaffe.This emotional yet factual book describes the three and a half months (10 July  31 October 1940) battle day-by-day and covers the essential details of every one of the 540 young pilots who died in this critical campaign that saved Britain from invasion by the Nazis.Thanks to the authors painstaking research we are given a short biography of each pilots and learn of their actions and the manner of their deaths, their squadrons and planes.The result is a unique record and fitting memorial of the courage and sacrifice of this select band of heroes. The text is enhanced by photographs of the individuals themselves.</div>

The Fallen Few of the Battle of Britain

<div><B>Twenty-five veteran airmen share stories of their experiences during World War II’s Battle of Britain in this unique history.</B><br/><br/>The Battle of Britain fought by The Few, as Churchill famously called them, will remain a legendary feat of arms for centuries to come. Sadly, there remain only a handful today who can tell their stories so this collection of personal accounts is extremely timely.<br/><br/>The Author has over the years gathered the stories of twenty-five survivors and in Dowding’s Eagles he brings these stirring stories together. Each account describes the actions and impressions of the individuals who fought lonely battles against a numerically superior enemy. The odds were stacked against The Few.<br/><br/>Over 500 pilots were killed in action during the summer of 1940, and this book is as much about those who gave their lives for their country as those who risked everything but managed to survive.<br/><br/>Together with photographs of the men and their aircraft, this is an inspiring book.</div>

Dowding's Eagles

<div>The 50 pilots featured in Fallen Eagles were all decorated for bravery during The Great War.  All survived the conflict only to die flying in the postwar years.The causes of their deaths ranged from being casualties of small wars, then as now rife in the Middle East, mechanical failure or pilot error. The 1920s were still pioneering years for aviation and aviators and test flying, air races and displays, record attempts etc were fraught with dangers known and unknown.In addition to the better known names such as Sir John Alcock, Captain W Beauchamp-Proctor VC and Sammy Kincaid there are many that will be unfamiliar to all but the most ardent enthusiasts.  But all have courage and love of flying in common and sadly luck ran out for each of these men who made a contribution to the history of flight.  Thanks to acclaimed aviation historian Norman Franks, their names are not forgotten.</div>

Fallen Eagles

<div>This book summarises the story of how RAF Coastal Command overcame the German U-boat danger during the Second World War and how the escalation of the U-boat war promoted the development of anti-submarine warfare, leading to victory over this menace in the Atlantic.At the start of the war, RAF Coastal Command had virtually no real chance of either finding or sinking Germany's submarines, but within a short period of time, new methods of detecting and delivering deadly ordnance with which to sink this underwater threat were dreamt up and implemented. It took the men of Coastal Command long hours patrolling over an often hostile sea, in all types of weather, but their diligence, perseverance and dedication won through, saving countless lives of both merchant and navy seamen out in the cold wastes of the Atlantic and contributing much to the final victory over Nazi Germany. This new addition to the Images of War series serves as a tribute to these men, recording their exploits in words and images.</div>

Coastal Command's Air War Against the German U-Boats

<div><B>&ldquo;Nowhere will you find such an exhaustive book on the day-to-day events of the aerial war over the Western front in April 1917.&rdquo; &mdash;<I>A Wargamers Needful Things</I> </B><BR /><BR /> Even those people who know little of WWI&rsquo;s air war will have heard of Bloody April. After more than eighteen months of deadly stalemate on the Western Front, by April 1917 the British and French were again about to launch yet another land offensive, this time on the Arras Front. This would be the first opportunity to launch a major offensive since the winter and would require enormous support from the Royal Flying Corps and French Air Force in, hopefully, improved weather. However, the air offensive was to be countered fiercely by the new German Jagstaffeln&mdash;Jastas&mdash;that had been the brainchild of Oswald Boelcke in 1916. By the spring of 1917, the first Jasta pilots, with new improved fighters&mdash;the nimble Albatros DIIIs&mdash;were just itching to get to grips with their opponents over the Western Front. What followed was a near massacre of British and French aircraft and crews, which made April the worst month for flying casualties the war had yet seen. Here is a day-by-day, blow-by-blow account of these losses, profusely illustrated with original photographs and expertly told.<BR /><BR /><B>&ldquo;A highly detailed work that is meticulously peppered with eyewitness testimony, quality research, original photographs and accessible statistics. It also recreates the period for the reader and has a keen eye for accuracy and as a reference work it comes highly recommended.&rdquo; &mdash;<I>History of War</I> </B><BR /><BR /><B>&ldquo;One of the most comprehensive overviews of early warfare ever published.&rdquo; &mdash;<I>Flypast</I></B></div>

Bloody April 1917

<div><B>This lively, funny memoir by a World War I pilot is &ldquo;recommended for its rare view of the RAF in its nascent years and beyond&rdquo; (<I>Over the Front</I>).</B><BR /><BR /> Annotated by aviation historian Norman Franks, this is the autobiography of an early RAF pilot that conveys the sense of giddy adventure that existed among these elite flyers. The story begins in France in late 1918, when D&rsquo;Arcy Greig was flying FE2b night bombers, then through the early 1920s as he served in Iraq, piloting Bristol Fighters for three years, against rebel insurgents and dissident tribesmen. Back in England, Greig became an instructor at the Central Flying School, and finally he records his experiences commanding the RAF&rsquo;s High Speed Flight, and participating in the 1929 Schneider Trophy Race.<BR /><BR /> This is a highly entertaining and amusing read, with Greig being a master of practical joking, having fun with explosives and enjoying other hilarious exploits that could only be contrived in these early days of flying. He comes into contact with many airmen already famous or who gained future fame, and his tale is well illustrated with many new, often private family photographs of the time.</div>

My Golden Flying Years

<div><B>A gripping account of the Royal Air Force&rsquo;s daring exploits during the heroic evacuation of Allied troops from France in World War II. </B><BR /><BR /> &ldquo;Where is the RAF?&rdquo; was the oft-quoted question asked by soldiers waiting on the beach at Dunkirk, to where they had retreated following the German blitzkrieg through northern France, and where they were now being pounded by the Luftwaffe. The air forces were there, as Norman Franks proves, detailing the outstanding achievements of the Allied pilots who fought, using outmoded tactics, against enemy pilots who had earlier had easy victories over the Polish, Dutch and Belgian air forces. The RAF&rsquo;s achievement reminds us just how close Britain came to disaster in June 1940.<BR /><BR /> &ldquo;An absorbing read, which vindicates the RAF.&rdquo; &mdash;<I>RAF Historical Journal</I> <BR /><BR /> &ldquo;Leveraging mission logs and splicing firsthand written accounts, the narrative is both cohesive and seamless. The details are incredibly rich, yet not burdensome.&rdquo; &mdash;<I>Air &amp; Space Power Journal</I> <BR /><BR /> &ldquo;With the recent release of the blockbuster film on the same subject, Franks&rsquo; recounting of the air battle for Dunkirk is timely for those who left the movie theater wanting more . . . <I>Air Battle for Dunkirk</I> is recommended for those who loved the film and wanted more context. This book is especially recommended for those who are interested in aviation history.&rdquo; &mdash;Nicole Granados, <I>Picture This Post</I></div>

Air Battle for Dunkirk, 26 May–3 June 1940

<div><B>The memoir of a German fighter ace that gives a much-needed perspective on what it was like to fight for the Central Powers during World War I. </B><BR /><BR /> This important work was first published in German in late 1939, no doubt timed to impress the young Luftwaffe fighter pilots who were embarking on the second major air war in history. Buckler initially served with the army when the Great War began, until he was wounded and moved to the air service to train as a pilot. Following a baptism of fire flying two-seat reconnaissance missions over France, he became a fighter pilot, joining Jasta 17 in late 1916. Despite receiving several more wounds, he continued in action, finally being awarded the highest decoration of the Pour le M&eacute;rite and ending the war with 36 victories over British and French aircraft.<BR /><BR /> Not so much a war diary, his book is more a collection of memories told in a refreshing and entertaining manner. Renowned air historian Norman Franks has placed these in context and added accurate and authenticated details of what Buckler achieved. However, the fighter ace&rsquo;s original words remain largely unchanged, and Adam Wait&rsquo;s expert translation gives a valuable insight into what it was like to fly over the Western Front from the other side of the line.<BR /><BR /><B>&ldquo;A well rounded, thorough investigation of a topic that would otherwise have remained unknown to most American readers . . . superior and highly recommended.&rdquo; &mdash;<I>Indy Squadron Dispatch</I></B></div>

Julius Buckler: "Malaula!"

<div><B>The author of <I>Another Kind of Courage</I> takes a deep dive into the World War II heroics of the pilots and aircrew of the single-engined amphibian airplanes.</B><BR /><BR /> This book covers the adventures of 283, 284, 293 and 294 Walrus Squadrons, operating from North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Sardinia.<BR /><BR /> The pilots, like their counterparts in England, knew of the dangers of landing on the sea. It was a daunting task attempting to rescue downed airmen as they had often to operate in bad weather, and near hostile coasts. Airmen who were bobbing about in dinghies, or even just in their Mae West life jackets, were difficult to locate. Rescues from the cold sea needed to be speedy affairs, especially of those survivors not in dinghies, and the Walrus aircrew were always aware that time was of the essence. Moreover, rescues near a hostile shore often resulted in gunfire from German or Italian gunners.<BR /><BR /> Many Walrus pilots have added personal recollections to the narrative and so too have some of those airmen who were rescued. As well as RAF and SAAF airmen, there were numerous USAAF units involved in the air war over the Mediterranean and Italy, and Norman has been in contact with several Americans whose lives were saved by these gallant men who flew the Walrus amphibian single-engined biplane. Men who knew only too well that to pick up more than two or three airmen generally meant a hard sea-borne taxi ride back to base, which conditions never guaranteed. <BR /><BR /> The stories of these rescues give one a sense of sincere pride in the men who daily risked their lives to save others from a very hostile environment.</div>

Beyond Courage

<div><B>The World War II memoir of a Battle of Britain fighter ace who escaped Czechoslovakia to serve in France and with the RAF in England.</B><BR /><BR /> Stunned into action by the rapid collapse of his country in 1938, Czech pilot Stanislav Fejfar escaped and traveled through Poland to serve initially with the French Foreign Legion, then as a sous-lieutenant with the French air force in early 1940. After the demise of that country, he fled to England in July 1940 to join the RAF. Posted to 310 Squadron, he saw much feverish action and he rapidly became an ace during the Battle of Britain but was to lose his life on 17 May 1942, shot down over Boulogne flying his beloved Spitfire.<BR /><BR /> Until recently it was not known that throughout his short career, Stanislav kept a full day-by-day diary which has been translated by Henry Prokop and is the basis for this book. Augmented by the diligent research of Norman Franks and Simon Muggleton in unearthing previously unpublished combat reports, letters and other articles of memorabilia, together with their annotated comments, this is an extremely valuable and moving account by a man who gave his life defending freedom. A book which will be sought out by anyone interested in the history of the Battle of Britain.</div>

A Fighter Pilot's Call to Arms

<div><B>A fictionalized World War I memoir by RAF pilot John Everard Gurdon, &ldquo;an evocative picture of the daily life of the squadron and its characters&rdquo; (<I>Western Front Association</I>).</B><BR /><BR /><I>Over and Above</I> was first published in 1919 soon after John Everard Gurdon, aged just twenty, had been invalided out of the RAF following a brief but incident-filled stint as a flyer on the Western Front. It is Gurdon&rsquo;s first and best book, repeatedly reprinted for two decades, variously titled <I>Winged Warriors</I> or <I>Wings of Death</I>. Billed as a novel, it is not so much that as a fictionalized account of his own service flying career, with names changed, incidents rearranged. True, it tells of &ldquo;exciting raids over enemy lines and towns, desperate fights against fearful odds, chivalry shown to an unchivalrous foe . . .&rdquo; but the narrative turns darker as men become wearier, new comrades arrive and are killed, and those who remain try to hold onto meaning in increasingly unintelligible circumstances, a mirror to Gurdon&rsquo;s own experiences.<BR /><BR /> Written in the style of the era and by and for a class which put great store in maintaining a slangy, backslapping cheerfulness, no matter how grim things were, with chums wishing each other &ldquo;beaucoup Huns&rdquo; before embarking on a &ldquo;show&rdquo; in &ldquo;beastly&rdquo; weather, this book is a classic to rank with <I>Winged Victory</I> by V. M. Yeates, and which should never have been out of print. This new edition retains exactly the original script but has been updated with an introduction by John Gurdon&rsquo;s granddaughter Camilla Gurdon Blakeley and an extended illustrated appendix by renowned historian Norman Franks.</div>

Over and Above

<div><B>A memoir of the life and World War II service of Battle of Britain veteran, RAF fighter pilot Bob Foster.</B><BR /><BR /> Bob Foster&#39;s flying years began shortly before WWII, when he learned to fly with the RAFVR. Called up for war service in September 1939, he completed his training and was posted to 605 Squadron, equipped with Hawker Hurricanes. By early September 1940 he and his Squadron were in the thick of the air fighting over southern England, operating from Croydon.<BR /><BR /> Surviving the Battle, he later became an instructor, but shortly after joining 54 Squadron, which had Spitfires, he and his unit were sent to Australia to defend the Darwin area from Japanese incursions. Awarded the DFC for his efforts, he returned to the UK and was given an assignment with a RAF public relations outfit, ending up in Normandy within three weeks of the invasion of 1944.<BR /><BR /> Often serving right up in the front lines, Bob<BR /><BR /> saw the war at very close hand, and then quite by chance became one of the first, if not the first, RAF officer to enter Paris with the liberating French army, and again, by chance, was in General de Gaulle&#39;s triumphant procession down the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es.<BR /><BR /> His memoir is an entertaining collection of stories and reminiscences of two distinct areas of WWII, which also shows how luck often shaped the lives of the fighter pilots involved. Bob Foster later became a successful sales manager with Shell-Mex and BP, as well as serving with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. He now lives with his wife Kaethe near Bexhill in East Sussex.</div>

Tally Ho!

<div><B>The Under the Guns series continues with an all-encompassing look at four highly decorated German fighter aces and their dogfights in World War I. </B><BR /><BR /> Following their imaginative, popular and successful approach to identifying and describing all the airmen who were claimed by Manfred von Richthofen in <I>Under the Guns of the Red Baron</I>, and by Immelmann, Voss, G&ouml;ring and Lothar von Richthofen in <I>Under the Guns of the German Aces</I>, air historians Franks and Giblin have put four more equally distinguished German aces of World War One under the microscope.<BR /><BR /> In doing so, they profile not only the aces themselves, all of whom received the &ldquo;Blue Max&rdquo;&mdash;Germany&rsquo;s highest award for bravery in action&mdash;but also the Allied airmen they fought and downed. By extensive and exhaustive research into records, and carefully studying maps, timings and intelligence reports&mdash;contemporary and retrospective&mdash;as full a picture as possible is revealed with excellent photographic coverage of the many protagonists involved.<BR /><BR /> All four of the aces, B&ouml;hme, M&uuml;ller, von Tutschek and Wolff were unit leaders at different times, one commanded a Jagdesgeschwader, the others commanded Jagdstaffels. All four were destined to die in actions against the Royal Flying Corps. Every one of their combats is detailed here, with color artwork. This is the last in the Under the Guns trilogy, to complete the set.</div>

Under the Guns of the Kaiser's Aces

<div><B>An account of the renowned German fighter unit in World War I, &ldquo;a wonderful journey through these pilots&rsquo; lives, in victory and defeat&rdquo; (<I>Aerodrome</I>).</B><BR /><BR /> As August drew to a close in 1916, the German Air Service was reeling almost helplessly towards inevitable defeat on the Somme. The Artillery and Feldflieger Abteilungen, the Kampfstaffeln, had been quickly reduced to relative impotency by the overwhelming quantitative and qualitative superiority of the Allies. The once feared Fokker and Pfalz Eindeckers proved unequal to the task of checking the aerial flood which daily scoured the ravaged German front. <BR /><BR /> A crisis was reached. Germany was compelled to seek a new solution. Jagdstaffel 2 was formed to stem the tide and fight back. Later by Imperial decree renamed Jasta Boelcke in honor of its distinguished commander Oswald Boelcke, this military formation had no prolonged, entangled gestation period. There was no parent, no prior stirrings of life. Jasta 2 was lifted from the keyboard of a typewriter, assigned to the First Army and provided with a leader. <BR /><BR /> Between 2 September and 31 December 1916, it scored 85 kills, and was destined to end the war with 336 confirmed victories. Here, for the first time, is the story of that auspicious and audacious unit, told in his inimitable style by Norman Franks, an expert in his subject.</div>

Jasta Boelcke

<div><B>A who&rsquo;s who of the British airmen honored for their valor and courage&mdash;from the RAF&rsquo;s inception to the post-WWII era&mdash;arranged alphabetically. </B><BR /><BR /> When the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged on 1 April 1918, to form the Royal Air Force, the new command needed to have its own gallantry medals to distinguish itself from the Army and the Royal Navy. Thus the new Distinguished Flying Cross came into being.<BR /><BR /> By the end of WWI, only three Second Bars had been promulgated for First War actions. Before WWII erupted, four more Second Bars had been awarded, and fifty were added to this total by the conflict&rsquo;s end. Three more were awarded post-WWII, between 1952&ndash;1955, making a grand total of sixty. Still a significantly small number of members of this pretty exclusive &ldquo;club.&rdquo;<BR /><BR /> Within the covers of this book recorded for the first time together are the mini-biographies of all those sixty along with the citations that accompanied their awards, or in some cases the recommendations for them. Also recorded are citations for other decorations such as the Distinguished Service Order, et al.<BR /><BR /> As the reader will discover, the range of airmen who received the DFC and Two Bars, cover most of the ambit of WWII operations, be they fighter pilots, bomber pilots, night-fighter aircrew, aircrew navigators, engineers, etc., or reconnaissance pilots. Each has interesting stories, proving, if proof be needed, their gallantry in action.</div>

Gallantry in Action

<div><B>The authors of <I>Bloody April 1917</I> present a new volume of facts, photos, and analysis covering aerial combat in the last days of the Great War.</B><br/><br/>Fifteen months after the events of April 1917, more battles had been fought, won and lost on both sides, but now the American strength was feeding in to France with both men and material. With the mighty push on the French/American Front at St. Mihiel on September 12 and then along the Meuse-Argonne Front from the 26th, once more masses of men and aircraft were put into the air. They were opposed by no less a formidable German fighter force than had the squadrons in April 1917, although the numbers were not in their favor. <br/><br/>Nevertheless, the German fighter pilots were able to inflict an even larger toll of British, French, and American aircraft shot down, making this the worst month for the Allied flyers during the whole of World War I—and this just a mere six weeks from the war’s bloody finale. This book analyzes the daily events throughout September with the use of lists of casualties and claims from both sides. It also contains seven detailed appendices examining the victory claims of all the air forces that fought during September 1918. Although it is difficult to pinpoint exactly who was fighting who high above the trenches, by poring over maps and carefully studying almost all the surviving records, the picture slowly begins to emerge with deadly accuracy. <I>Black September 1918</I> is a profusely illustrated and essential reference piece to understanding one of the crucial months of war in the skies.</div>

Black September 1918

<div><P><B>This volume collects lively tales of aerial combat from Royal Air Force pilots who flew Typhoon fighters into the frontlines of WWII.</B><BR /><BR /> The Typhoon fighter played a pivotal role in Allied victories from D-Day to the Battle of the Bulge and the final battle in Germany. Through original interviews with RAF veterans, Norman Franks explores what it was really like to fly Britain&rsquo;s legendary, rocket-firing fighters.  </P><P><I>Typhoon Attack</I> shares stories of flying over Holland or France at low level, seeking out hostile aircraft or targets on the ground; rolling over at twelve-thousand feet, then upside down; attacking trains, ships, flak posts, tanks, and more; not to mention the mind-numbing experience of crash-landing a shot-up Tiffy. </P><P>   </P></div>

Typhoon Attack

<div>Here, Norman Franks tells the story, in words and images, of the emergence of some of the greatest fighter aces to see action during the first half of the First World War. He explores the manner in which the situation developed from late 1914 to the late summer of 1916, the point at which Oswald Boelcke helped form the German Jasta system that would prove so devastating to the RFC and RNAS.  Utilizing images drawn from his large personal archive of photographs, Franks profiles some of the greatest and most notorious aces, as well as the aircraft in which they flew. The first years of the war saw some of the bravest acts of pilot gallantry and ingenuity play out. Franks celebrates the legacy of just a handful of these individuals, participants on both sides, including Boelcke's premier ace Manfred Von Richtofen, Lanoe Hawker, Georges Guynemer, Albert Ball, Lionel Rees, Wilhelm Frankl, and Stanley Dallas amongst many others.</div>

Norman Franks
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Books By Norman Franks (26 Books)