Product Description

The Imperial German Army Air Service of World War I grew from just 500 men in 1914 to 80,000 in 1918, inventing in the process a wholly new form of warfare. The exploits of the first fighter ‘aces’ have been widely celebrated, and have tended to overshadow the other, equally important branches of the fighting air forces â€" the reconnaissance and ground attack units, the airships and strategic bombers. This concise but fact- packed guide to both the Army and Naval Air Services â€" their command, organization, strength, training, support services and operations â€" offers a morebalanced picture, while giving the heroes of the Jagdstaffeln their full due. Uniforms and flying clothing are described in detail, and illustrated with rare photographs and meticulous colour plates.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #684474 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-10
• Released on: 2005-11-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Review
"... a fine little reference... This handy, compact volume offeres a wealth of information on all aspects of the Kaiser's aviation forces. Despite the short length, the coverage is excellent, including observation, recon, bomber, fighter, Zeppelin, balloon, flak, and supporting forces... Especially useful are typical tables of organization and equipment for Jastas, FFAs, Schlastas, and other units... this offering has about 50 [illustrations], mostly good to excellent quality. The detailed index is helpful, rounding out a truly worthwhile offering... four stars." -Barrett Tillman, Aerodrome

From the Publisher
An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author
Ian Sumner was born in 1953 in Eccles, near Manchester, UK. He originally trained as a librarian in Newcastle-upon-Tyne but now devotes himself to full-time writing. He has written numerous titles for Osprey and also several books on the history of the East Riding of Yorkshire, where he now lives with his wife.

Customer Reviews

A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK TO HAVE!
I recently purchased this book and was amazed at the wealth of information it contained about the German air force of World War One. This book helped me to gain a better perspective on the air force's organization and various branchs within. I have read many books on aircraft and aces from the Osprey series but they do not go into deep detail about training organizations, ground support units, anti-aircraft defence, balloons and other topics like this one does! I now have a better appreciation for the German air force. This volume helps make sense out of the organization the Germans employed during World War One. Like other Osprey titles, it is a concise, handy reference tool and a must have book for any serious World War One aviation collection! A nice companion to this volume would be Richthofen's Circus by Greg VanWyngarden. It shows the accomplishments and aircraft of the famous German fighter wing lead by "The Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen. 'Richthofen's Circus': Jagdgeschwader Nr 1 (Aviation Elite Units)

you already know the series anyway.
i always wondered why balloons were used for obsevation when by 1917 aircraft were so available,and less vulnerable than a balloon and now i know. ballons were quick to put up and pull down with electric winches and gave a more dimensional picture.No need to wait for a plane to arrive after a call is placed.Also i sometimes confused a balloon with an airship,now that's cleared up too.the pictures and descriptions in this book when describing the high altitude airships,left me with "frost on my nose and chest and glandular congestion."There was a good paragraph about the famous medal "the Blue Max",and how its awarding favored officers over enlisted and may have actually been more of a disruption to troop morale than a boost.The author states although that the germans saw the air force as a tactical and not a strategic force during WW1 and this somewhat hampered them during WW2.Really from my limited knowledge of the "Treaty of Versailles"what hampered the German Air Force in WW2 was the clauses in the treaty that prevented Germany from developing a strategic wing.One clause states specifically"No military aircraft".I am sure that any nation that could develop the types of aircraft that the Germans made during WW1 would surely understand the strategic value of it.In technology a disadvantage of even a year can put a country way behind with only scissors and paste to play"catch-up".This book is an asset to the Osprey Series.