Arctic War Birds Alaska Aviation of WWII
Seattle, USA: Superior Publishing Company, 1971. Quarto, teal-blue hardcover, spine and cover printed in navy lettering, 192 pp., illustrated throughout with numerous black-and-white photographs, some maps included. Spine ends a little bumped, tail spine end a little rubbed, lower corners of covers a little rubbed, very light spotting on top of text block, very light foxing on leaf edges, top edge of dust-jacket a little worn; otherwise a near-fine copy with a very good dust-jacket. First edition. An evocative pictorial history of bush flying with the military in the defence of Alaska and America against the Japanese during World War Two. Japanese dive bombers hit Dutch Harbor on June 3, 1942, resulting in the enemy occupation of Kiska and Attu Aleutian Islands. Through remarkable images, this volume details General Simon Buckner's response to the attacks, particularly his build up of the Alaskan air defence carried out with the assistance of veteran bush pilots such as Joe Crosson and Bob Reeve. Also depicted is Colonel "Eric" Eareckson mission, with only a handful of obsolete bombers, to protect Alaska and America from the enemy.
Loosely inserted in this volume is a short article (origin unknown) on Noel Wien, an Alaskan pilot and co-founder of Wien Airways. Item #4793
Price (AUD): $110.00