The Encyclopedia of 20th Century Air Warfare

Aerial warfare began even before World War I, although in the early days it consisted of little more than spotting and occasionally dropping bombs. But, as Europe plunged into the terrors of the Great War, aircraft assumed ever greater importance, leading to raging fights between agile scouts such as the SE.5 Albatross D.V, Camel, Fokker DVII and SPAD. It was not long before German Cotha and British Handley-Page bombers ushered in a new era of strategic air power, bombing troops and military targets. Included within the accounts of each featured campaign are photographs, detailed artworks, first-hand experiences and comprehensive text describing the battles, the aircraft and the people involved in air warfare. From wire-braced biplanes to the first jet fighters, from the Berlin Airlift to Bosnia, The Encyclopedia of 20th Century Air Warfare is a unique history of aerial combat in the 20th century.