SIXTY SQUADRON RAF

A nail-bitingly exciting narrative this is the history of a specialist RFC Scout squadron formed in in 1916. which served above the western front in the battles of the Somme Arras third Ypres (Passchendaele) and the German offensives in March 1918 when it became Sixty Squadron of the new RAF. Although there is a full discussion of technical problems a glossary of technical terms and a guide to the aircraft with which the Squadron was equipped the main aim of the book is telling the thrilling story of air combat against the formidable German enemy. As Lord Hugh Cecil writes in his vivid Preface: 'Many people feel apprehensive at flying at all....but to fly and fight to sit alone in an aeroplane thousands of feet above the ground to catch sight of an enemy to go to attack him flying faster than an express train moves to venture near as may be dared knowing that the slightest collision will cast both helpless to the ground to dodge and dive and turn and spin to hide in clouds or in the dazzle of the sun to fire a machine gun while not losing mastery of the control and rudder of one's own aeroplane to notice the enemy's bullets striking here and there on one's machine and know that if a bullet hits the engine it means either death or a precarious landing and captivity and if a bullet hits the petrol tank it means being burned alive in the air and yet to fight on and escaping to go forth afresh next day - surely to read of this is to realise with new and penetrating force the stupendous measure of what human skill can do and human courage dare'. Illustrated with 21 photographs and pictures; and two maps and accompanied by two appendices listing officers who served in the squadron and their fates this is a book that no-one remotely interested in the Great War in the air will want to be without.