The introduction of this book about the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) fills seven lines and states that this book is based on original documents regarding the operations of the RNAS in WW I. They could have added ‘and an abundance of pictures that accompanied them). The book, with nicely designed hard cover, is primarily filled with pictures and is clearly meant for the visual connoisseur.
The text contains the literal representation of Secret Operation Orders, Daily Summary’s from squadron logs and, amazingly enough, various reports from our own newspaper De Telegraaf. Apparently De Telegraaf was considered a trustworthy source by the British of the events on German side; about the effect of the dropped RNAS bombs!
The major part of this book is, however, filled with pictures. The first pictures are mainly of ‘cracked’ planes, but slowly also more with successful flight movements from the deck of, for this purpose, adjusted ships. With ups-and-downs the job had to be learned! It was still a long way before the corner deck, the steam catapult, the brake cables and the deck landing mirror of our (taken over from the British) Hr. Ms. Karel Doorman, on which I once was a passenger! From the above stated, it becomes clear that this should not be seen as a ‘reading book’, but as a ‘picture book’ with explanatory text.
For the fan of nice black and white picture work this is a desirable book. It contains special moments from the ‘plunging and submerging” of the Naval Air Service and of course also a lot of drawn – and photographed cards of the area at the front where the RNAS executed her operations. You will love to hold this book in your hands!
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