R. A. F. Operations 1918-1938

The story of the seventy years of the RAF is usually thought of as that of its role in two world wars bridged by twenty years of peace. During this interval simply came a time of gradual build up with the influence of giant characters such as Trenchard and the development of equipment which on entering the Second World War was untested in battle.
This, however, is far from the case. From the moment the First World War ended the RAF saw further action and continued to play an active role somewhere in the world for twenty years, sometimes keeping the peace, sometimes involved in wars of others, sometimes operating disguised as Training Missions. Their adversaries were colourful indeed and their exploits against them are told here using first-hand accounts wherever possible. Stories focus on such episodes as 'Z' Force and the Mad Mullah of Somaliland, the rebellions of Mahmud, the campaign against Ataturk, and the quaintly named Pink's War, after Wing Commander R C M Pink, on the North West Frontier in India. It was in these incidents that many later famous names in RAF history gained their spurs, men like Roderic Hill, John Slessor and Basil Embry.
Chaz Bowyer's carefully researched and fascinating history, amply illustrated with many unusual photographs, fills a gap in aviation literature and sets the record straight over the so-called years of peace.

by Chaz Bowyer
Published by William Kimber 1988 1st edition. 320pp illustrated, maps, index, appendix, bibliography. 16x24 fine, including d/j.





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"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jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.)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.

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