Royal Australian Air Force Educational Services Fortnightly Review
Melbourne: Victorian Railways Printing Works, 1943-1944. Fourteen issues of the serial, each measuring 190 x 250 mm. Each numbers eight pages, and the collection is housed in a contemporary binder with front board lettered "R.A.A.F. Educational Series". The binder is rubbed and a little marked, but very good condition overall. Scarce contemporary publication for the service men and women of the Royal Australian Air Force, published at the height of the Second World War.
The purpose of the Fortnightly Review was to provide a range of reading materials for the forces, with a view to a broader education of the service. Accordingly, the articles are diverse in nature. Some concern strategy and air-war matters, but other articles are unrelated to the conflict. Literature, art, theatre and cultural studies feature prominently. Individual contributors include some of the leading artists and authors of the time. For example, Frank Medworth writes on cultural sensibility and aesthetics, while Dymphna Cusack contributes a piece on theatre, titled 'Play-Readings for the Forces'.
Of special interest are articles on activities and moral raising initiatives for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (W.A.A.F.). These entries shed light on the role of women in the Pacific war effort.
This is a well preserved collection, comprising fourteen discontinuous issues dated between October 1943 and May 1944. Many are duplicates, and a full collation is available upon request. This series is not noted by Ian McLaren in 'Australian Aviation: A Bibliographical Survey", or in the short list compiled by Ian Wilson titled 'A Collector's Bibliography of Australian Aviation' (self published, 1980). Item #1844
Price (AUD): $375.00