Book Reviews THROUGH ADVERSITY The British and the Commonwealth War in the Air 1939-45. Volume 1 By Ben Kite

Helion & Company Limited, Unit 8 Amherst Business Centre, Budbrooke Road, Warwick CV34 5WE, UK. 2019. Distributed by Casemate, 10 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford OX1 2EW, UK. 492pp. Illustrated. £29.95. ISBN 978-1-912866-23-6.

Sometimes, it takes a long view from someone without ‘skin in the game’ to provide a different insight into a hallowed subject. In this book, Through Adversity – part of the Royal Air Force’s motto – we have a senior British Army officer applying his logical brain to a complex historical episode, and well he does it too. Above: Short Sunderland of and offensive geographical position, where again Through Adversity is Volume 1 of two books 10 Squadron RAAF operating good use is made of contemporary reports on which bring Ben Kite’s research and analysis to life. with Coastal Command in 1941. RAeS (NAL). such operations as the Battle of Taranto. The The author takes his research from the founding of same technique is well used throughout the book the Royal Air Force and its use of reserves with a and nowhere so well as the chapters on the Far unique portrayal of the system which allowed a pool East. Often neglected by historians, the losses of, predominantly, fighter pilots to be ready for the caused by the lightning advance of the Japanese outbreak of war in 1939. are highlighted as a reflection of London’s almost A striking quote right at the beginning of the racist attitude to the Imperial capabilities which introduction sets the tone for the narrative. It comes resulted in some almost ludicrous analysis of from Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John the Japanese fighting capability. With no radar Slessor, well-regarded today as a thinking officer, and obsolete fighters, there was very little hope who says: “Before 1939 we really knew nothing for the defenders of Singapore. Ben Kite neatly about air warfare.” So, this book can be regarded segues into the next phase in the Far East, as a journey for the RAF from limited abilities to looking at and giving due prominence to the probably the best equipped and manned air force Australians and the Fleet Air Arm. This book is, in the world in 1945. Slessor had learned through after all, about air power and about the role of the adversity. He had learned from disasters over Commonwealth. France and the early bombing campaigns against Bomber Command gets good and insightful Germany, and how to integrate a citizen force with coverage. The debate over area bombing versus county Auxiliary squadrons, short service volunteers precision effects at range, like the Augsburg raid and regulars – many of those from the ‘old’ of 1942 and the Dam Busters in 1943 finds Commonwealth of Australia, Canada, New Zealand the author not taking sides but giving excellent and South Africa. analysis of the route out and the strike, including an Ben Kite takes the reader through the RAF of unusually full account of a typical bomber mission. the time. Through the efficient training system – the This is a book He concludes the sequence with a description of saviour of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain the return leg for the bomber’s crew once weapons which is also covered with a new light shone on it. of immense have been released and gives unusual detail of the The battle is well covered without any sentimentality value with approach and landing. The developing precision and includes some excellent verbatim from pilots. good, clearly attack capabilities rate their own chapter illustrated Ben Kite also brings the air defence of Great Britain argued logic. It with more excellent quality Air Historical Branch neatly together in his approach to the story of photographs – where have they been hidden all night fighters and countering the V1 flying bombs. should be part these years, we might ask? His narrative helps to understand the connection of any library Often relegated topics in air power history, between anti-aircraft artillery – ‘Ack-Ack’ – and for the study Coastal Command, where the risks and likelihood of balloons and reminds the reader that the RAF of air power death were often as high as the much-fêted Bomber Regiment played its part. Command statistics, are put into perspective. That other defence of a fortress island, the in its historical Coastal Command and the Fleet Air Arm were Battle for Malta, is well described for its defensive context woefully unprepared for WW2, both victims of the

46 AEROSPACE internecine warfare between the services in the is enhanced by excellent maps which are clear and 1930s. There was also, the author reminds us, concise, and by access to the best set of wartime the overwhelming belief in the new surface ship photographs seen for a long time. The author has technologies which would mean that the Royal Navy the Air Historical Branch to thank for the pictures would have the upper hand against the main threat, and the access to records which allow accurate the German submarine. As the author says: “by and relevant quotes to be peppered throughout the 1944, the Fleet Air Arm was almost unrecognisable text but used only where they amplify or enhance from its 1939 forebears…” the narrative. The book’s value is enhanced by the There are interesting and little-known facts detailed appendices, many drawn from primary, which come out too; merchant aircraft carriers, MAC sources as well as publications from the immediate ships, made an incredible 323 Atlantic crossings in post-war period that will have passed by many 24 months from May 1943. This fact, when linked researchers. to Map 12b, enables the Battle of the Atlantic’s This is a book of immense value with good, importance to be better understood. clearly argued logic. It should be part of any library The development of Coastal Command technical for the study of air power in its historical context. It capabilities, as well as the operational art generated, will no doubt find its way on to the Chief of the Air which laid the foundations for the Royal Air Force’s Staff’s recommended reading list, especially as Air prowess in the Cold War, shared with Canada Chief Marshal Mike Wigston wrote the foreword. and Australia, although from the British side, it is probably needing to be rebuilt in this century. Paul Beaver Utility of air power is well served by this book. It FRAeS

FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERNATIONAL AVIATION LAW AND POLICY By Benjamyn I Scott and Andrea Trimarchi

Routledge, 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14 4RN, UK. 2019. xxix; 297pp. Illustrated. £32.99. [20% discount available to RAeS members via www.crcpress.com using AKQ07 promotion code]. ISBN 978-1-138-58880-6.

The latest publication of the ‘Aviation Fundamentals’ series aims to provide an engaging introduction to Narita International Airport, The publication presents international aviation international aviation law. To achieve such an aim, Japan. Marek Slusarczyk. law in a way that balances ‘depth of content with the services of two promising aviation lawyers – ease of readability’. It is relevant for entry-level Benjamyn I Scott and Andrea Trimarchi – are used, students of aviation with interest in (but not who bring a refreshing approach to the analysis of necessarily background knowledge of) law. It is black-letter aviation laws. written in plain English and the text is accompanied The publication is divided into 12 parts that by several helpful diagrams and explanatory examine selective aspects of international aviation sections. For the curious minded, the publication law. Following the introductory Chapters (Chapters provides a set of thought-provoking questions 1-2), the publication covers the basics of public and a list of reading materials at the end of each international air law, namely the Chicago Convention chapter. Furthermore, the publication is a valuable 1944, the structure and decision-making of supportive aid to teachers. It can be used as a ICAO and key aspects of air services agreements starting reference for students, as well as a map (Chapter 3 to 5). for designing lectures, especially when both public It then moves to a review of the aviation security The publication and private law aspects are to be covered in the conventions (Chapter 6), followed by three chapters presents same course. This reviewer can only propose that a (Chapters 7 to 9) on fundamental private law international chapter on aircraft finance is included in the second issues, namely the legal framework of passenger edition of the publication. and third parties’ claims against airlines and the aviation law All in all, the book is highly recommended for insurance issues underlying such claims. Chapters in a way that use by ‘teachers and for youth beginning their 10 and 11 deal with competition law in the aviation balances ‘depth journeys in aviation’. industry and the regulation of environmental issues, of content respectively. The concluding Chapter (Chapter 12) Dr George Leloudas investigates the future and introduces suborbital with ease of Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law transportation and its legal implications. readability’ Swansea University

APRIL 2021 47 - Book Reviews SPY PILOT Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident and a Controversial Cold War Legacy By Francis Gary Powers Jr and Keith Dunnavant

Prometheus Books, 59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228, USA. 2019. 296pp. ISBN 978-1-63384694 (e-book) ISBN 978-1-633884687 (hardcover).

I found this a very interesting and well researched book. After Francis Gary Powers The mystery of the actual event when Powers It is written by Keith Dunnavant and Francis was shot down over the was over Sverdlovsk remains. If, for example, the Gary Powers Junior, the son of the ill-fated Soviet Union during a CIA spy flight on 1 May 1960, aircraft was spinning out of control and the G-forces Lockheed U-2 pilot shot down near Sverdlovsk in NASA issued a press release precluded, in Power’s mind, ejection, how did he 1960. There is a forward by Nikita Khrushchev’s with a cover story about a U-2 overcome these forces to release from the seat and son Sergei and, as expected, the book seems intent conducting weather research climb out of a cramped cockpit in order to parachute to bring honour to the USSR and to Francis Gary that may have strayed off to safety? This is not explained in the book but none course after the pilot reported Powers, whom many felt had let the side down difficulties with his oxygen can argue that such a feat was impossible. Only during his capture and the show trial that followed. equipment. To bolster the Powers knew the actual truth. Then there is the The story describes the nature and background cover-up, a U-2 was quickly question of how the camera magazines remained of Powers prior to his pilot training with the USAF painted in NASA markings, intact after such a catastrophic descent and how with a fictitious NASA serial and his subsequent enrolment as a CIA U-2 pilot. number, and put on display for the Soviets processed the special film used, when it Clearly, he was an ordinary boy from farming country the news media at the NASA was rumoured only Kodak Eastman had the secret who did not have an Ivy-League level of education Flight Research Center at technical know-how. This all adds to the mystery and but loved flying and the life that surrounded it. Edwards Air Force Base on 6 controversy that will continue. The narrative is very personal and contains many May, above. The NASA cover Whatever happened, as the book explains, there story quickly blew up in the letters from Frank Powers to his wife and family agency’s face when both Gary followed a plethora of claims and counter-claims. and the responses to those letters. From these one Powers and aircraft wreckage It was clearly to the Soviet advantage to have the can gather that he had a very troubled married life were displayed by the Soviet U-2 shot down at 70,000ft by their improved SAM prior to his flight, and this begs the question as to Union, proving that it was a systems, thus, preserving sovereignty over their reconnaissance aircraft. This his mental suitability to participate in such a mission caused embarrassment for territory. Equally it was to the CIA’s advantage to at a time when it seems Soviet surface-to-air several top NASA officials. show that they hadn’t obtained authorisation for a missile (SAM) technology was accelerating. These NASA. flight, when they knew, or at least suspected, that family difficulties followed him after repatriation in the planned altitude was vulnerable. Powers was, exchange for Colonel Rudolf Abel. Nevertheless, the as the book shows, the ‘piggy in the middle’ of all of CIA seemed (in the book) to have been content to this. allow the flight to proceed and thus meet, in their The authors have gathered a lot of data and view, clear intelligence imperatives regarding an provided a good reference index to support their ICBM gap. Whatever the truth about the dialogue claims that Powers was truthful and not a traitor to that went on between the CIA and the White House, his country. Yet there will still be conspiracy theorists the flight was authorised. The story who believe otherwise. As the book shows, following The book covers the events surrounding the the author’s energetic pursuit of his father’s honour, point of shoot-down, the interrogation and the trial describes the many awards and concessions were forthcoming – in as much detail as possible. Despite this, the nature and albeit grudgingly. possibility for various explanations of the true event background of In summary, and as mentioned above, it is an remain. Powers prior interesting book that covers the Powers family The aftermath of the incident clearly had a perspectives on an international Cold War incident mixed impact upon public opinion and this in turn to his pilot and, as such, is of interest to all aviation and political appears from the book to have sullied further the training with history aficionados. personal relationships between Francis Powers, his the USAF and family and friends. his subsequent Geoffrey Oxlee There would seem to be no doubt that he died OBE feeling he had been unfairly crucified by some parts enrolment as a Former Commanding Officer of The Joint Air of the system. CIA U-2 pilot Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre

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