Royal Flying Corps In Combat

"Knights of the Air" was the title given to daring aviators of the First World War, who flew fragile, unreliable machines in thrilling dogfights. Many pilots of the Royal Flying Corps met tragic ends, and this book by Chris Goss showcases an extraordinary collection of photos and stories of these downed aircraft from the Western Front.

Each image tells the tale of the aviators behind them. For example, Second Lieutenant Gilbert Insall and Air Mechanic Thomas Donald, after their Vickers FB 5 Gunbus was damaged, made repairs under enemy fire and returned to base. They were shot down again weeks later, but Insall later escaped captivity and received the Victoria Cross.

Chris Goss delves into the stories behind the crashes, even identifying enemy pilots who shot down some of the planes. The mysterious case of Second Lieutenant John Holtom's DH 2, whose body was never recovered, remains unsolved.

This book also reveals how many surviving pilots went on to have distinguished careers, including Montagu Chidson, who, after being captured in 1915, later rescued vital diamonds from Amsterdam in 1940 while serving with M.I.9.

Royal Flying Corps in Combat is a captivating account of the aircraft, battles, and aviators of the First World War.