A new book in my library. (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Wayne Little
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Lucky13
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buffnut453
Captain
Just received this one, on a recommendation.
According to David Hobbs (who wrote the British Aircraft Carriers book).
"Anthony J Cumming's thought provoking book sheds new light on the British government's hasty decision, taken after the Smuts Report of 1917, to create an independent air force that came to influence every aspect of British defence policy between the wars. He describes how the untested theories of a few air power protagonists which literally forgot the importance of sea power and failed to give due credit to the hard won wartime experiences of the RNAS and RFC were accepted with insufficient study by politicians. Cumming stresses the undoubted bravery of the aircrew but explains how these misplaced priorities hampered the development of carrier-borne aircraft for the Royal Navy and limited British operational capability in the opening phases of the Second World War."
It sounds right up my street!
Cheers
Steve
Hi Steve,
Looks very interesting although the summary suggests the author is approaching this from a rather nautical vantage point. I'd like to know what you think of the book as you examine it.
Cheers,
Mark
Hi Mark, yes he will be. His previous book 'The Royal Navy and the Battle of Britain' did the same, pointing out that the Navy was the biggest obstacle to a German invasion, despite the mythologising over the 'The Few' and the RAF's role. He is never disrespectful of the gallantry and determination of Fighter Command, he just attempts a more realistic appraisal of the results of their sacrifice.
He does display a nautical bias, but makes some pretty compelling arguments in that book. I'm hoping for more of the same. I myself have posed the question (probably not on this forum), how in the summer of 1940 could the Germans have made a successful invasion of the south coast of England, even had the RAF been forced back north of London? Maybe I should start a thread
Cheers
Steve
Lucky13
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Looks like a good read buddy, after a quick scan....
buffnut453
Captain
Hi Mark, yes he will be. His previous book 'The Royal Navy and the Battle of Britain' did the same, pointing out that the Navy was the biggest obstacle to a German invasion, despite the mythologising over the 'The Few' and the RAF's role. He is never disrespectful of the gallantry and determination of Fighter Command, he just attempts a more realistic appraisal of the results of their sacrifice.
He does display a nautical bias, but makes some pretty compelling arguments in that book. I'm hoping for more of the same. I myself have posed the question (probably not on this forum), how in the summer of 1940 could the Germans have made a successful invasion of the south coast of England, even had the RAF been forced back north of London? Maybe I should start a thread
Cheers
Steve
Hi Steve,
I think there's been at least one thread that discussed the topic. However, it's probably worth dusting off (or starting a new one) as it's a topic worthy of further discussion. I think the threat of invasion was overblown but, equally, naval forces without air support would have been hugely vulnerable...but we can save that discussion for your new thread.
Cheers,
Mark
Picked up this book, a pamphlet really, about the Martin B-10 in Argentine service. All in Spanish, but where would I get those pictures?
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- #4,912
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Just arrived.
How is she Terry?
This one was literally just dropped off at my house by post man Keith. (I was beginning to think it wouldn't get here!)
So far it is.
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Airframes
Benevolens Magister
A bit disappointing Paul.
However, overall it's not too bad, with a lot of colour profiles. But the aircraft in RAF service only receives just over a column of very basic information, and the general text is more of a 'gloss over', and of dubious accuracy in parts, as are the scale plans.
Not as good as the other 'bookazines' I have in the 'Warpaint' series - more so as those notes I have yet to locate, on the Mitchell in RAF service, were intended for an article in the magazine from which this series was developed !
You know Terry, I feel the same way. I have a couple of these and even considering their size, I felt they could have been better.
