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Upcoming Releases
How Strategic Airpower has Changed the World Order
From the 100th Bomb Group in 1943 to the Falklands and Beyond
9781036106560
Pen and Sword Military
This work demonstrates how maritime deterrence strategy in a challenging world is critically underpinned by strategic air power at sea and on land.
In this book, the history and utility of land- and carrier-based strategic airpower is brought to life by the gallant exploits and photographs of B-17 aircraft “Quittin’ Time” and of its Navigator, “Fred” Julian in the Second World War, and by the unforgiving and unswerving dedication of “Sharkey” Ward and his Sea Harrier team in the Falklands war.
The overarching message is that the strategic airpower lessons of the past eight decades underpin the urgent need for the UK government to invest more wisely in its Fleet so that the latter may work effectively in conjunction with the US Navy on the global mission to deter those that would harm us, and to maintain the freedom of passage of all shipping throughout the global commons.
The authors show how a maritime deterrence strategy in a challenging world is critically underpinned by strategic air power at sea and on land.
In this book, the history and utility of land- and carrier-based strategic airpower is brought to life by the gallant exploits and photographs of B-17 aircraft “Quittin’ Time” and of its Navigator, “Fred” Julian in the Second World War, and by the unforgiving and unswerving dedication of “Sharkey” Ward and his Sea Harrier team in the Falklands war.
The overarching message is that the strategic airpower lessons of the past eight decades underpin the urgent need for the UK government to invest more wisely in its Fleet so that the latter may work effectively in conjunction with the US Navy on the global mission to deter those that would harm us, and to maintain the freedom of passage of all shipping throughout the global commons.
The authors show how a maritime deterrence strategy in a challenging world is critically underpinned by strategic air power at sea and on land.
The RAF's Leading Air Marshals of the Second World War
9781036104139
Pen and Sword Aviation
An in-depth overview of the role of the Royal Air Force's leaders during World War II.
The RAF did not come of age until the Second World War. The role of its forerunners in the Great War, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service, although important, was peripheral to that of the ground forces.
The founding father of the RAF, Lord Trenchard, was determined that it should become a fully-fledged third service, equal in status to the Royal Navy and British Army, and this he succeeded in doing between the wars, firstly by setting up the RAF College at Cranwell, and Staff College at Andover, and secondly by providing a cost-effective policeman of the more rebellious parts of the British Empire.
By 1939 the RAF had grown substantially, but, of the three best aircraft of the coming War, only the Supermarine Spitfire was in service, as neither the Avro Lancaster nor the De Havilland Mosquito would be available until early 1942. Aircraft, however, were not enough. It was the leaders of the RAF, the subjects of this book, who would take the battle to the enemy and who, after six long years, would prevail.
The RAF did not come of age until the Second World War. The role of its forerunners in the Great War, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service, although important, was peripheral to that of the ground forces.
The founding father of the RAF, Lord Trenchard, was determined that it should become a fully-fledged third service, equal in status to the Royal Navy and British Army, and this he succeeded in doing between the wars, firstly by setting up the RAF College at Cranwell, and Staff College at Andover, and secondly by providing a cost-effective policeman of the more rebellious parts of the British Empire.
By 1939 the RAF had grown substantially, but, of the three best aircraft of the coming War, only the Supermarine Spitfire was in service, as neither the Avro Lancaster nor the De Havilland Mosquito would be available until early 1942. Aircraft, however, were not enough. It was the leaders of the RAF, the subjects of this book, who would take the battle to the enemy and who, after six long years, would prevail.
Agents or Traitors: RAF Prisoners of War Alleged to Have Assisted the Third Reich
9781399039529
Air World
This book delves into the controversial actions of British prisoners of war during World War II, exploring cases of alleged betrayal, collaboration, and espionage.
During the Second World War over 200,000 British prisoners of war were detained by the Third Reich. A large proportion of these PoWs were members of the Royal Air Force, or airmen who served in it. A number of them have been immortalized in the many books and movies that have portrayed their valiant exploits and escapes, none more so than the events surrounding the Great Escape in 1944.
The names of camps such as Stalag Luft III, at Sagan, and Colditz Castle are well known to the general public, the prisoners incarcerated there often being held in high regard. But there were a few PoWs whose loyalty to the cause and their fellow prisoners might not have been as strong.
The names of Pilot Officer Railton Freeman, Sergeant Jack Alcock and Sergeant Raymond Hughes are among those found in that inglorious group of alleged traitors, for all three men betrayed their colleagues and the nation. The trio assisted the Nazi regime in making radio broadcasts, or even joining the British Frei Korps, a unit of the dreaded SS. One gave information about the Monica radar system to the Luftwaffe, and others got fellow prisoners to divulge information on fake Red Cross forms.
Other prisoners such as Flight Lieutenant Julius Zuromski and Squadron Leader Robert George Carpenter also came under suspicion when reports began to arrive at MI9 in London. Inquiries were subsequently undertaken by the RAF Special Investigation Branch and MI5 – investigations that would ultimately lead to the imprisonment of some and the release of others.
What these men did and why some were prosecuted, and others were released without charge, is examined by the author. Why one man in particular, an ardent Nazi and traitor, was not sentenced to death, having liaised with the likes of the infamous William Joyce, also known as ‘Lord Haw Haw’, and even Josef Goebbels, is a mystery to this day.
Sadly, not all our aviators were heroes. But there has long been debate that some of them might have actually been working for the Security Services. So, were these men traitors who collaborated with Hitler’s Third Reich, or agents working for the British State?
During the Second World War over 200,000 British prisoners of war were detained by the Third Reich. A large proportion of these PoWs were members of the Royal Air Force, or airmen who served in it. A number of them have been immortalized in the many books and movies that have portrayed their valiant exploits and escapes, none more so than the events surrounding the Great Escape in 1944.
The names of camps such as Stalag Luft III, at Sagan, and Colditz Castle are well known to the general public, the prisoners incarcerated there often being held in high regard. But there were a few PoWs whose loyalty to the cause and their fellow prisoners might not have been as strong.
The names of Pilot Officer Railton Freeman, Sergeant Jack Alcock and Sergeant Raymond Hughes are among those found in that inglorious group of alleged traitors, for all three men betrayed their colleagues and the nation. The trio assisted the Nazi regime in making radio broadcasts, or even joining the British Frei Korps, a unit of the dreaded SS. One gave information about the Monica radar system to the Luftwaffe, and others got fellow prisoners to divulge information on fake Red Cross forms.
Other prisoners such as Flight Lieutenant Julius Zuromski and Squadron Leader Robert George Carpenter also came under suspicion when reports began to arrive at MI9 in London. Inquiries were subsequently undertaken by the RAF Special Investigation Branch and MI5 – investigations that would ultimately lead to the imprisonment of some and the release of others.
What these men did and why some were prosecuted, and others were released without charge, is examined by the author. Why one man in particular, an ardent Nazi and traitor, was not sentenced to death, having liaised with the likes of the infamous William Joyce, also known as ‘Lord Haw Haw’, and even Josef Goebbels, is a mystery to this day.
Sadly, not all our aviators were heroes. But there has long been debate that some of them might have actually been working for the Security Services. So, were these men traitors who collaborated with Hitler’s Third Reich, or agents working for the British State?
9781781553572
Fonthill Media
This book examines the story of Flt Lt James E. Storey, from his early childhood in Argentina, his career with the Royal Air Force, and his subsequent record-breaking return flight to Argentina in a Spitfire PR XI.
Following his operational training in Africa at the outbreak of the Second World War, Flt Lt James Storey was first posted to 237 Squadron, before returning to the UK for PR training. Storey later served with 542, 543, and 519 Squadrons until the end of the war. Post-war Britain, however, was not a great place for demobbed aviators, and the jobs were not forthcoming. In light of these difficulties, Storey chose to return to Argentina, where he accepted a position as a traffic officer with BSAA in Buenos Aires.
Inspired by his wartime experience, Storey recognized the business potential of photographing the world from above and obtained a Spitfire PR XI from the Aircraft Disposal Department of the MoS. In order to save time, he made the decision to fly the aircraft across the Atlantic. The trip was made in company of a BSAA Lancastrian, and the crossing of the South Atlantic, a distance of 1,800 miles, was completed in eight hours and forty minutes—the longest Spitfire flight up to that date.
Spitfire Across the Atlantic examines the story of Flt Lt James E. Storey, from his early childhood in Argentina, his career with the Royal Air Force, and his subsequent record-breaking return flight to Argentina in a Spitfire PR XI.
Following his operational training in Africa at the outbreak of the Second World War, Flt Lt James Storey was first posted to 237 Squadron, before returning to the UK for PR training. Storey later served with 542, 543, and 519 Squadrons until the end of the war. Post-war Britain, however, was not a great place for demobbed aviators, and the jobs were not forthcoming. In light of these difficulties, Storey chose to return to Argentina, where he accepted a position as a traffic officer with BSAA in Buenos Aires.
Inspired by his wartime experience, Storey recognized the business potential of photographing the world from above and obtained a Spitfire PR XI from the Aircraft Disposal Department of the MoS. In order to save time, he made the decision to fly the aircraft across the Atlantic. The trip was made in company of a BSAA Lancastrian, and the crossing of the South Atlantic, a distance of 1,800 miles, was completed in eight hours and forty minutes—the longest Spitfire flight up to that date.
Spitfire Across the Atlantic examines the story of Flt Lt James E. Storey, from his early childhood in Argentina, his career with the Royal Air Force, and his subsequent record-breaking return flight to Argentina in a Spitfire PR XI.
