The Romans had their gladiators, the Middle Ages their knights errant, but the 'champions' of our own century were the fighter'aces'of the two World Wars, whose exploits caught the popular imagination and, in many cases, passed into legend. These 'Knights of the Air'. as they were soon dubbed during the Great War, were quickly seized upon by propagandists and the civilian population, even though the practice of idolizing individuals was frowned on by the authorities.
Such figures as Mick Mannock and James McCudden for Britain. and Manfred von Richthofen and Werner Voss for Germany, were amongst the top scorers of the First World War, while in the Second War RAF aces included such legendary names as 'Paddy' Finucane and Thomas Pattie, with Hans-Joachim Marseille and Erich Hartmann (perhaps the highest-scoring ace of all time) flying opposite them in the Luftwaffe. The Americans also made their presence felt, producing brilliant airmen like Raoul Lufbery who flew for the French in the First World War, and Richard Bong and Francis Gabreski in the Second.
Some were flamboyant, some even irresponsible, while others shunned the limelight their fame brought them. Some flew with an almost uncanny innate personal skill, swooping on their prey with invincible accuracy. Others were dogged with early bad luck, but still fought through to gain the respect of their fellow pilots and commanders. Some, frankly, were lucky, and many times fate played an important part in placing a pilot in a combat situation where skill, heroism and determination could combine to earn that coveted title 'ace'.
Bryan Philpott, himself a former RAF officer and author of numerous magazine articles and books, describes their backgrounds and major incidents in their flying careers, and fills in the detail on the backcloth of the conflicts against which their exploits shine so brightly.
by Bryan Philpott
Published by PSL 1989 1st edition. 160pp illustrated, index, bibliography. 16x24 yellowed, otherwise near mint in price clipped d/j.
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Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.
