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The War in the Air (Penguin Classics)

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Ho trovato, sinceramente, più interessanti le riflessioni antimilitariste e antimperialiste piuttosto che la trama in sé. NIEUPORT 17A description of the fighter plane used by Billy Bishop and others in the First World War. From the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Throughout the war, pilots and observers flew in basic and often primitive machines. They were affected by weather conditions and operations could be called off if there was low cloud. They were completely exposed to the elements. British pilot Charles Beard described how he tried to keep warm.

Bert Smallways is the unlikely protagonist, a kind of Edwardian Mod, not interested in a steady career, always looking for a good timeBert learns that the war is going badly for the Americans, who are unable to withstand the superior Asian flying machines; the Americans mourn the loss of the Butteridge machine which might have turned the tide, if its inventor had not died suddenly shortly before the outbreak of war, taking his secret with him. Bert discloses that the plans for Butteridge's flying machine are in his possession, whereupon a local militia leader named Laurier urges him to turn the plans over to the president. Objects and Photos of the First World WarView an extensive online collection of photographs and works of art depicting scenes of Canadian military involvement in the First World War. From the Canadian War Museum.

I was a very slow pupil. I suppose I was a little bit dense or something like that. Because I took eight hours to go solo, whereas the average was about three hours. I knew of one person who took only twenty minutes to go solo. Burning. Howitzers open fire on us. Artillery moving through village of Ors. Several motor-cars movingIt turns out the Germans have invasion plans, and almost before Bert understands what he's involved in, he witnesses a naval battle between American and German ironclads in the North Atlantic. At first this all seems like something happening remotely below, but soon it becomes obvious he's part of an air fleet, which means he's part of the action. Here we get some of the best bits of description in the book: War in the air was high risk – but it played an important role, particularly on the Western Front as the ‘eyes’ of the artillery. Although it had its dangers, observer Percy Douglas reflected on the positive aspects of his time with the RFC. Wells wrote this book five years after the Wright brothers' flight 1903, after the Japanese defeat of the Russians in 1904, but prior to Bleiriot's crossing of the Channel by air in 1909. He was therefore writing at a time of significant international change, the ultimate path of which was not clear. Though his predictions were off in some aspects, he appeared to get the big things right. Many were eager to join this exciting new service. But not all were immediately successful, such as Arthur Harris – who went on to command the British strategic bombing offensive in the Second World War. Aircraft were increasingly used to provide direct support to the infantry in combat. During the 1918 German Spring Offensive, Allied pilots – like J Hopkins – were kept especially busy trying to prevent the enemy from pushing forward.

Throughout the 1920s, flight was romanticized, but new flying machines, especially bombers, sparked fear and anxiety in the 1930s. Military theorists and science fiction writers prophesied that in the next war the bombers would be carrying high explosives The Germans had aerial ascendancy from late 1916, flying in larger formations, with multiple fighters, including the new Albatros DI. The fast and manoeuvrable Albatros series of fighters provided a significant advantage to the Germans. Aces like OswaldWWI flying ace honoured 81 years after deathA CBC News story about William Barker, Canadian fighter pilot who earned the Victoria Cross for his heroism during the First World War. On the other hand, World War I itself encouraged the rapid improvement of the airplane, both in general and specifically as a weapon. During the four years of conflict, the overall stability and safety of flying improved tremendously, as did the power, speed, and maneuverability of the newest designs. Moreover, the war fostered the general public’s respect for aviation and spawned a new generation of pilots and aircraft designers, who would go on to take human flight to the next level after the war.

at the start of the First World War. Hughes was not alone in mistrusting airplanes. While the principal powers in Western Europe — Britain, France and Germany — On 21 February 1916, the Germans opened the offensive at Verdun that was designed to bleed the French Army to death. The fighting in the air was no less severe, with the French countering the Fokker threat with new types of aircraft such as the Nieuport 11, which had a Lewis gun fitted to the top wing. The French held firm through months of bitter fighting on the ground and in the air. The Hangar closes with the mighty Avro Lincoln and the Hawker Tempest II. Both aircraft came into production too late to see service in the Second World War, but represent the apex of piston-engined, propeller driven aircraft design before their replacement by more capable jets in the Cold War. With growing air activity during the war, losses of aircraft and crew rose on both sides. Observer Ralph Silk was shot down and captured during a photo reconnaissance flight in 1918.Anti-aircraft artillery fire was a constant threat to an aircraft over the lines. Although generally inaccurate, ‘Archie’ could fatally damage an aircraft with a near miss. Lower down, the fabric-covered aircraft, which offered little protection for the crews, were also vulnerable to rifle and machine-gun fire. As the war progressed, anti-aircraft weapons improved in both size and accuracy.

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