During the first decade of the 20th century, France led the way in aircraft design and achievements. After the outbreak of World War I, France produced trailblazing designs early – the Morane Saulnier monoplanes, Nieuport fighters, and then the Spads – clearly leading the way in terms of trends in aviation. Although the Fokker Eindeckers were the first 'point and shoot' aircraft, the Nieuport 11, while lacking interrupter gear, was the first maneuverable and cleanly designed fighter that featured ailerons and responsive controls on all axes. The Nieuports were so successful that Germany co-opted the sesquiplane with their Albatros line of fighters. The Spad VII was the first Allied fighter to employ an inline engine, and by extension influenced the design path of the S.E.5a and the Dolphin.French construction methodology was eclectic – the Nieuports were straightforward in their construction, as were the British, but the Spad was a labour-intensive yet rugged and finely built aircraft – requiring many different skill sets to produce. Moreover, Spads were built under license by many companies in France as well as in Britain. Finally, French engines were in demand for not only their own aircraft, but for much of the British aviation industry as well. This fully illustrated book complements the author’s titles on the German and French fighter aircraft.

The “Battlin’ Bastards” of B Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, fought daily against a numerically superior and well-trained enemy during their tours in Vietnam, 1968–71. Before the war, these men were brothers, sons, sweethearts, husbands, and fathers. Some were athletes, some musicians. Some were just out of high school, some in established careers. There is no monolithic “Battlin’ Bastard,” but when they joined the 101st Airborne Division—one of the most highly decorated divisions in the United States Army—in Vietnam, they united, fighting for each other, and fighting to return safely home.It was difficult to put their experiences behind them. As Bravo veteran, Terry Taylor, recalled, “I learned at the age of 18 that you don’t have to die to go to hell. Vietnam was hell on earth”. And yet despite the obstacles, many of these men built successful lives post-war. Decades after returning from the “Nam”, when the men were ready to cautiously revisit their experiences, the Bastards started stateside reunions.From these reunions came the wish to share their stories with the world, to honor, to educate, and to inspire. The result is this book, written from interviews and diligent archival research, in which the surviving “Battlin’ Bastards” tell their stories of combat in their own words, and honor those who “sacrificed for their country and their unit.”

The Hellenic Air Force performed valiantly, against the Axis forces during the Battle of Greece but overwhelming odds forced its remaining personnel to escape to Egypt. With the assistance of the RAF, the Hellenic Squadrons were formed empowering the Greek pilots to continue their fight. From Palestine, Egypt, Libya and Italy until the victorious return to their homeland, Greeks flew several aircraft but one remained a favorite – the graceful Spitfire! Colours and Markings of Hellenic Spitfires examines for the first time all the Spitfire types that served with the Hellenic Fighter Squadrons. From the Mk.V starting in 1943, to Mk.IX and XVI in service until 1954. Brief details of their service use is provided, as well as in depth examination of colors and markings used, based on many photographs, historical archive documents, illustrations and veteran testimonies. An invaluable source of information for aircraft enthusiasts, history researchers and modellers.

This is the second edition of the first English language book to describe in detail the aircraft carried by Japan's extensive submarine fleet in World War Two. More than any other nation, Japan designed, built and operated aircraft launched from submarines, using them for reconnaissance and also (uniquely) for bombing and attack missions. This fascinating history of an under-published aspect of World War Two aviation warfare is illustrated with photographs, scale plans and full color illustrations, including those of the preserved Seiran. This book includes 200 photographs (many of which have not been published before) and 30 color profiles (plus top and bottom views of representative aircraft).

40 color profiles of the famous : SPAD 13 C1, A French famous WWI fighter. French and other foreign users’ camouflages are shown.

This new photo album is number 34 in the MMPBooks/Stratus "Camera On" series and vol. 1 features over 160 photographs of captured and destroyed Soviet aircraft from the Eastern Front in World War Two. Most of the photographs were taken in situ, during and after the Operation Barbarossa - the attempted Nazi invasion of Russia.

This new photo album is number 35 in the MMPBooks/Stratus "Camera On" series and vol. 2 features over 160 photographs of captured and destroyed Soviet aircraft from the Eastern Front in World War Two. Most of the photographs were taken in situ, during and after the Operation Barbarossa - the attempted Nazi invasion of Russia.

Book is a detailed exploration of the specialized aircraft used during World War II to help organize and assemble bomber formations. This book delves into the vital role these assembly ships played in ensuring successful bombing missions by the US Eighth Air Force. Featuring meticulously researched text and a rich collection of period photographs, the book also includes color profiles by Jacek Jackiewicz, offering a comprehensive visual representation of these unique aircraft.

On 10 May 1940, the Wehrmacht launched its assault on the West. One element of the West’s response was the dispatch of RAF Bomber Command ‘heavy’ bombers at night over German industrial centers. These raids had only limited effectiveness, but the inability of the Luftwaffe to chase down RAF bombers at night so annoyed Wolfgang Falck that it swiftly resulted in the creation of a credible night fighter force. Initial trials had been flown with Bf 110s at dusk in Denmark in April, and 1. Nachtjagd.Division was founded in the summer of 1940. Its first few months were chaotic, with constant reorganizations of units, and reassignment of aircraft, but soon enough the night fighter arm was achieving steady victories—and losing crews at a similarly steady rate.Despite the efforts of senior leadership, the Nachtjagd constantly struggled to secure sufficient personnel or aircraft, and would spend most of its life playing catch up—its radar systems regularly outdone by RAF Bomber Command’s jamming capabilities, though the development of Schräge Musik and Wilde Sau did give the Nachtjagd an edge. The first specialist Luftwaffe night fighter—the Heinkel He 219—would be trialled only in 1943.Fully illustrated, this is a full chronological account of the night fighter units for the first part of World War II, covering major campaigns, the biographies of individual aces, and the details of the technology developed for the Nachtjagd.

The inspiring life story of a young boy stricken with polio who, through sheer grit, the drive to achieve, and love of the military, overcomes childhood paralysis, takes up the physical challenges of an infantry career and joins the elite airborne forces. Bill Matz earns his Ranger Tab and Master Parachute Badge, and rises to the highest levels of achievement in the U.S. Army. He serves in the DMZ in Korea, leads troops in combat in Vietnam, is wounded in the Tet Offensive, receives the Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, and leads troops again during the Panama invasion—all while wearing a specially fitted combat boot and a foot orthotic device on his atrophied “polio leg.” Later duties include serving as Executive Secretary to the Secretary of Defense during the Reagan years.Retiring as a Major General in 1995 after numerous overseas deployments and an illustrious 30-year Army career, he works in the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Keeping veterans’ causes close to heart, he leads the fight on behalf of the wounded, disabled and their families as a member of the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission and as President of the National Association for Uniformed Services, and becomes the guardian of America’s war dead as Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.A witness to or participant in many of the most defining moments of American history of the last sixty years, Bill Matz retired “for the fifth time” in 2021 and remains active as a recognized public speaker and proponent for veterans and the military. My Toughest Battle portrays the personal challenges and inner resources he relied on to meet the demands of service to his nation as an infantryman and paratrooper in times of peace and war, and candidly reveals how he was able to achieve his goals while battling the debilitating effects of polio.

Raised on a farm in Montana, Vernon Drake enlisted in the Army Air Corp in the spring of 1942. Assigned to the 493rd Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group of the 10th Air Force stationed in India, he piloted B-24 bombers into Burma in a fight to prevent the Japanese from advancing north to China, then flew C-108 gas-hauling tankers across the formidable Himalayas to support the U.S. and Allied armies. This dangerous airlift saw tons of fuel and supplies flown daily over the tallest mountain range in the world, regardless of the weather.He and the other airmen—aged only eighteen to twenty-five—flew dangerous missions over unforgiving territory against a brutal enemy. To provide some personal identity in an impersonal war, aircrews often painted artwork and identifying names onto the nose of their aircraft. As a talented artist, Lt Drake would spend many off-duty hours painting aircraft at the request of their crews, becoming a significant contributor to the nose art of the 10th Air Force.Drake’s story, pieced together from his meticulous records, contrasts the hours spent creating works of art with the moments of sheer terror in combat over enemy targets and navigating through towering mountains engulfed in murderous storms while carrying thousands of gallons of highly explosive fuel.

Visual Friendlies, Tally Target: Surges continues the story of the role of forward air controllers (JTACs) and Close Air Support (CAS), picking up in 2006 and continuing through 2013. This volume covers the evolution of Joint Fires through the colloquial "second phase" of the War on Terror—the "surges" of Iraq in 2007 and Afghanistan in 2010–2011. The narrative is supported by the individual accounts of US Air Force, Army, Marine close air support specialists, as well as UK, Canadian, Danish and German coalition forward air controllers. Vol. II recounts the evolution of air power during the rising counterinsurgencies, as well as the psychology and mental makeup of these exclusive tribes. Notable accounts include the recovery mission of EXTORTION17, the first withdrawal from Iraq, previously unreported missions against insurgent strongholds, and multiple instances where the situational awareness and decision-making of forward air controllers prevented civilian casualties and fratricide.The story carries with it a continuation of the strategic lessons learned from America’s longest war: where tactical successes and innovation failed to achieve a strategic outcome amidst ambiguous grand strategy, flawed policy and a failure to understand the new battlefields of the 21st century, as recounted by the men whose air power tribes went into the breach again and again. Volume II concludes as the "War on Terror" nominally ended in 2013, as the final phase of the post-9/11 wars transitioned to the "Train, Advise, and Assist" missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Pacific Profiles series presents the most accurate WWII profiles of Allied and Japanese aircraft which served throughout Australia, the South Pacific and New Guinea theatres. This Volume 16 covers the B-17E and F series which served in these theatres from their first appearance in Australia in the early weeks of the Pacific War until the final commander’s Fortress was scrapped in late 1944. The Fortress served with a total of one provisional and eighteen USAAF bombardment squadrons whilst many, after being stripped down and modified, went on to serve as transports and commander’s aircraft. Most profiles are presented for the first time, alongside markings derivations, including unit heraldry, artwork and serial numbers. This volume corrects past errors and bridges a vast gap in Fortress markings throughout the Pacific including Thirteenth Air Force transports and an early squadron which served with the USN. Each profile is supported by photos and/or documentation, along with the brief history of each bomber. Wide-ranging reference material sources assignment data, wreck reports, squadron records, colour photography, maintenance logs, diaries, air base movement logs and markings specifications. The profiles are accompanied by brief unit histories and associated markings explanations.The author is world-renown for his expertise on the Pacific air war. Never before has the Pacific Fortress been illustrated with such breadth, accuracy and detail.

This volume presents the most detailed history and accurate profiles to date of the Douglas Boston light bomber (DB-7B and A-20 models) in RAAF Pacific service. Unusually just one unit, No. 22 Squadron, operated the type. From late 1942 until mid-1943 it flew daring low-level attack missions in New Guinea, before advancing to the Netherlands East Indies in 1944.This volume illustrates and explains the development of the type in RAAF service, and for the first time closely aligns its Japanese belligerents, in the air and on the ground and sea. It also explains combat and other losses contrasted against the unique operational environment. A wide range of primary source material has been drawn upon including official records, diaries, rare photos, captured documents and operational logs of relevant Japanese units.The author is world-renown for his expertise on the aerial war in the Pacific, while his passion for the Douglas light bomber stems from assisting with the 1984 salvage of an RAAF Boston from New Guinea.

With a new century and a new enemy came a new kind of war: low intensity and civilian-dominated, blending austere rural and dense urban environments alike. Into this new kind of war, the American military launched two invasions against terrorist networks and military rivals, relying on airpower—close air support (CAS)—at a scale never before seen in combat.The Global War on Terror was the “CAS war. ” Forward Air Controllers were on the front lines from the very first moments of the war, directing airstrikes against enemies in their safe havens, safeguarding friendly forces and civilians alike to their utmost, and achieving unprecedented success with limited resources. This volume captures the heroic accounts of the first Tactical Air Control Party (TACPs) in Afghanistan and Iraq, and how Close Air Support fundamentally reshaped the American war machine in the first five years of the War on Terror.

On 12 December 1944, with the war entering its final stages, Bomber Command launched its last Main Force raid on the Krupps Steel works at Essen. The attack was devastatingly successful, and completed for the loss of only a handful of aircraft. Three of the airmen lost in the raid are still listed as ‘missing’, believed killed in action. Extensive investigative research by aviation historians Sean Feast and Marc Hall has discovered the truth about what happened to these missing men, and how they are linked to the murder of three unidentified RAF airmen, on a bridge, within twenty-four hours of believing they were safe. They have also discovered the truth about a fourth airman, a Canadian, shot down on the same raid who died in mysterious circumstances and whose near-naked body was discovered after the war, hastily buried in an unmarked grave.In the centenary year of the RAF, the authors reveal a darker side to the history of the ‘Third Service’. Complementing historical research with the evidence of present-day specialists, they have pieced together the harrowing story of four murders, the identities of the victims and their killers, and the tantalising possibility that at least one of the ‘missing’ men may at last have been found.