Naval Eight A history of No. 8 Squadron R.N.A.S - afterwards No. 208 Squadron R.A.F. - from its formation in 1916 until the Armistice in 1918
London: Signal Press, 1931. Octavo, black cloth with spine gilt lettering and decoration on front board, 208 pp., frontispiece, six double-sided plates. Boards flecked, mild spotting throughout, otherwise a very good copy. The No. 8 Squadron was established in October, 1916 at St. Pol. On April, 1918, it changed into the 208 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The original squadron was entirely composed of aviators who were volunteers, and its elan and esprit de corps were high. The experiment of 'lending' a Naval air squadron for duties on land was so successful that four further RNAS squadrons followed No. 8's lead in 1916. Based at Mont St Eloi airfield, and equipped with Sopwith aircraft ( the 110 P Clerget; the 'Pup'; the 'Camel'; the 130 H.P. Clerget triplane; and the 'Snipe') - as well as with French Nieuport scouts No. 8 spent two years in the fiercest air fighting that the Western front could offer. As a fighting unit in the heat of the action, No.8 took a heavy toll of casualties, but it often clashed with elite enemy units such as that of Baron Manfred von Richthofen's 'Flying Circus'. No. 8 tested rival flying tactics against the 'red Baron' and frequently came off best even when outnumbered. This is a history of an elite flying unit which claimed 298 victories and had 25 aces. Among the appendices are listed casualties to personnel, honors and awards, aeroplanes and engines. Item #2594
Price (AUD): $325.00