The Battle of Eastleigh England U.S.N.A.F. 1918
New York: Rudder Publishing Company, circa 1919. Oblong quarto, original grey decorated cloth, 144 pp., numerous integral photo illustrations throughout. Small smudge affects front board, one corner gently bumped, closed marginal tear affects the foreword leaf; nonetheless a superlative fresh copy. Contemporary account of the United States Naval Repair Base at Eastleigh, England. The base played an important role in repair, supply and logistics for U.S.N.A.F. activity in the later years of the First World War.
Aside from a wealth of biographical information on the Officers, this book is remarkable for its photographic images. These include de Havilands (in the hangar, on the airstrip, and readied for combat), Champs de Briscoe Field, Regular and Commissary Force group photos, barracks and social activities - including the jazz band - and several pages of caricatures.
These are followed by short chapters detailing the planes themselves: de Haviland, Fiat, Caproni, Liberty Twelves, and so forth. The book concludes with combat related material on submarine attacks, U.S.S. Levithan, and other matters.
This copy includes a separately printed notice from the editor, Lieutenant Bolles, offering advance copies for $2.50 apiece. Item #1974
Price (AUD): $400.00