Review

The First Air Campaign

Book


The First Air Campaign was written by Eric and Jane Lawson, and is published by Combined Books. It traces, in its 249 pages, WW I in the air from its humble beginnings in 1914 with converted civilian aircraft, through to 1918, with its great offensives and state of the art fighter aircraft. Extensively illustrated with b/w photos , maps illustrating the major engagements, and the occasional production chart, this book provides a clear, interestingly written introduction to the WW I air war.

Though generally written as a high level overview, painting the strategic picture, The First Air Campaign includes numerous combat vignettes and descriptions of tactical operations. Various sidebars describe the details of air combat - ranging from machine gun synchronization, to the various powers' aircraft naming conventions, to artillery spotting methods, aircraft camouflage, and rosters of each nation's leading aces.

Speaking of aces - the sidebars also include capsule biographies of many of the leading airmen, aircraft designers, and airpower proponents of the time. The last chapter is a guide to the interested reader that lists and comments on a number of books, wargames, films, and museums that deal with WW I air combat. I haven't checked every fact and figure in the book but the more obvious ones all seem on-target. The Lawsons haven't written the definitive history of WW I in the air - they've written a readable, detailed, mood-setter that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you've an interest in the first air war you should enjoy this book. Available from your local game or book shop. - BILL RUTHERFORD

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