Reviews for Bombers

The average rating for Bombers based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-02-02 00:00:00 Jose Torres Of all the books about First World War aviation, it is sad that there are very few books available --- in English --- about the role of French aviation (and its airmen) in that conflict. "Groupe de Combat 12, 'Les Cigognes': France's Ace Fighter Group in World War I" helps to redress that deficit. It tells the story of one of France's premiere fighter units which began operations on the Western Front on November 1, 1916 flying both Nieuport 17 and SPAD VIIs. In its ranks were some of France's top fighter aces and tacticians of the calibre of Georges Guynemer (54 victories) - a national hero who acquired mythic status following his death in combat on September 11th, 1917); Albert Deullin - a top tactician and teacher who went on to publish a book on fighter tactics used by both France and the U.S. ; René 'Père' Dorme, who flew brilliantly against the Germans, so much so that it was thought he was indestructible, which sadly was not the case; Mathieu Tenant de la Tour; Alfred Heurtaux; American volunteers like Frank L. Baylies and Edwin Parsons; and the top Allied ace of the war, René Paul Fonck (75 confirmed victories) - a superb pilot and masterful shot who was never popular among most of his 'Cigognes'('Storks' - a stork in flight was the unit symbol which adorned the fuselage of Nieuport and SPAD alike) comrades owing to his tendency to boast and brag about himself to the point of annoyance. Quite a contrast to Guynemer, who was modest and widely respected among his contemporaries. Unlike Guynemer, Fonck was never shot down, never wounded, and survived the war. Like other books of this type published by Osprey, this one is chockful with fantastic photos and illustrations, and is enriched considerably with the comments interspersed throughout the text of France's last surviving fighter ace of the war - Louis Risacher - who flew with the 'Cigognes' between June 1917 and August 1918. He passed away in June 1986, age 91. By war's end in November 1918, Groupe de Combat 12 was flying the redoubtable SPAD XIII fighter, which carried twin Vickers machine guns and was noted for its high speed and ability to absorb tremendous punishment and bring its pilot home. I hope that more books on the French aviation experience in the First World War will become available in English so that a fuller understanding of that air war from all the principal combatants can be realized.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-11-04 00:00:00 Ric Deez This is a must read for the military aviation enthusiast or World War I history buff. Mr. Hart's book Bloody April covers the crucial Spring of 1917 focusing on the British and Canadian assault as supported by the RFC and RNAS, and opposed by the Germans. Bloody April starts with an overview of the war to the point just prior to the Spring of '17. Mr. Hart then covers aviation technology to that point in history to include how aerial photography and gunfire support were utilized. Mr. Hart then moves into the air battles themselves with extensive first hand accounts - in some cases accounts of specific air battles from each side. Bloody April's final chapters cover crew life in and out of the cockpit. This is a fantastic book which provides a comprehensive look at the rapid pace of both technological advancement in aviation as well as the development of aerial combat tactics.