Close Call: RAF Close Air Support in the Mediterranean Volume I defeat in France to el Hamma 1939-1945 - Hardcover

Flintham, Vic

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1902109643 ISBN 13: 9781902109640

Publisher: Hikoki Publications, 2020

Synopsis

Close support for the Army by the Royal Air Force evolved during World War II from a state of near non-existence to becoming a fully integrated part of the battle plan. Nowhere was co-operation more refined and better developed than in the Mediterranean theatre.In the first of two volumes, the author traces the evolution and development of close air support, beginning during the final year of the Great War, via the doldrums of the inter-war years, to the point where the RAF was criticised heavily because of its apparent absence at Dunkirk. The rise and demise of Army Co-operation Command is examined in detail, followed by the first systematic close air support in East Africa and the various campaigns in the Western Desert. Reference has been made to logbooks, diaries and autobiographies of many of those who were there. Complemented with maps, diagrams and hundreds of photographs, it provides a comprehensive account of this neglected aspect of operations in World War II.

About this title

About the Author

Vic Flintham, Andrew Thomasare are experts in the codes used by the British, Commonwealth and Allied Air Force Units since 1938.

From the Back Cover

This is the first of two books covering the evolution of close support for the Army by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Close Call traces the development of close air support starting with the final year of the Great War, then moves to the doldrums of the interwar years, then to the point where the RAF was criticized heavily because of its apparent absence during the evacuation of France through Dunkirk. The rise systematic cover in East Africa and the various campaigns in the eastern Desert, through to truly effective support at el Alamein. It concludes with the problems of providing cover to amphibious landings in Operation Torch, culminating with the first cab-ranks at the battle of el Hamma.

The second volume, Close Call: Sicily to Victory in Italy 1943-45, will address continuous improvement throughout the war in Italy and southern France, including the continuing challenges of air support for a further four amphibious landings (Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and the French Riviera), plus Cassino and the battles for the Gothic Line. It will also explore the Rover system and the part played by the Air Observation Post squadrons especially.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hikoki Publications
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1902109643
• ISBN 13: 9781902109640
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192