Table of Contents

?ORIGINS OF THE AIR BRANCH – World War I – The interwar years RECRUITMENT & TRAINING – Pilots – Observers –Telegraphist Air Gunners – Mechanics – Fighter direction officers – deck landing control officers – Meteorologists – Women’s Royal Naval Service COMMAND STRUCTURE – Chain of command – Squadron composition – Embarked air groups – Mixed squadrons – Squadron numbering & markings CAMPAIGNS – 1939: the Western Approaches – 1940: Norway – France & the Battle of Britain – the Mediterranean: Force H – the Taranto raid – 1941: the Mediterranean – the Bismark – 1942: the ‘Channel Dash’ – the Malta convoys – Operation ‘Torch’ – 1943: Sicily & Italy – Victorious in the Far East – 1944: the Tirpitz raids – the Normandy landings – Operation ‘Dragoon’ – 1944–45: the British Pacific Fleet: the East Indies – Okinawa –Japan TACTICS – Torpedo-bombers – dive-bombers – fighters SOURCES & SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY PLATE COMMENTARIES INDEX

Promotional Information

A concise history of the Royal Navy's air arm in battle from 1939 to 1945, from the Artic convoys, via the battle of Malta, to the last raids on Japan with dramatic accounts of Royal Navy pilots battling against Axis forces.

About the Author

Lieutenant Mark Barber RN is a pilot based at RNAS Culdrose. His dissertation on the Fleet Air Arm in the Mediterranean in World War II was named as the best in the year at the Royal Navy academy, Dartmouth. He was named Best Aircrew Officer upon graduation of his class. His unlimited access to Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm museum records and photos, has resulted in a book that is a worthy addition to the annals of British naval aviation. Stephen Walsh studied art at the North East Wales Institute. Since then he has worked mainly for the American historical board-game market, fulfilling a lifelong interest in historical subjects. His American works include the best-selling Settlers of Catan. He has also produced many pieces of artwork inspired by JRR Tolkien.

Reviews

"Of particular interest to figure modelers are the number of illustrations that show the various types of uniforms worn during this period of time. It is a book that should find interest with all readers. A book you'll enjoy reading and one that I can recommend to you along with any other Osprey title." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (June 2008) "From the Arctic convoys, to the battle of Malta, and the last raids on Japan, this concise history of the Royal Navy's air arm details some of the most dramatic actions of World War II as Royal Navy aces battled against the Axis forces -- scoring both the first and last kills of the war!" --Game Trade Magazine (April 2008)