SPRING 2003 - Volume 50, Number 1 Put high-res scan off ZIP disk of book cover in this blue space finished size: 36 picas wide by 52 picas high Air Force Historical Foundation Benefits of Membership Besides publishing the quarterly journal Air Power History, the Foundation fulfills a most unique mis- sion by acting as a focal point on matters relating to air power generally, and the United States Air Force in particular. Among its many worthy involvements, the Foundation underwrites the publication of meaningful works in air power history, co-sponsors air power symposia with a national scope, and provides awards to deserving scholars. In 1953, a virtual “hall of fame” in aviation, including Generals Spaatz, Eaker Vandenberg, Twining, andFoulois, met to form the Air Force Historical Foundation, “to preserve and perpetuate the history and traditions of the U.S. Air Force and its predecessor organizations and of those whose lives have been devoted to the service.” By joining, one becomes part of this great fellowship doing worth- Exclusive Offer for Air Force Historical Foundation Members while work, and receives an exceptional quarterly publication as well. See page 68 for details. Come Join Us! Become a member. SPRING 2003 - Volume 50, Number 1 Soviet Ship-Based Reconnaissance, 1920s-1950 Viktor P. Kulikov 4 Fabric Planes–Iron Men: Reuniting the Collier Trophy with 1924 Round-the-World Flight Artifacts Braxton “Brick” Eisel and Daniel L. Watkins 12 World War II B–17C Flying Fortress Crash at Baker’s Creek, Australia, Uncovered Robert S. Cutler 22 Air Power and the Battle for Mazar-e Sharif Don Chipman 34 Review Essay Michael Alfred Peszke 46 Book Reviews 50 When Giants Roamed the Sky: Karl Arnstein and the Rise of Airships from Zeppelin to Goodyear by Dale Topping Reviewed by Bruce Ashcroft 50 Wilbur and Orville Wright: A Bibliography Commemorating the One-Hundredth Anniversary of the First Powered Flight, December 17, 1903 by Arthur G. Renstrom (Comp.) Reviewed by Daniel K. Blewett 50 Hitler’s Squadron: The Fuehrer’s Personal Aircraft and Transport Unit, 1933–1945 by C.G. Sweeting Reviewed by Harry Cawood 50 Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Airpower, 1909–1941 by Mark E. Peattie Reviewed by Bill Russo 51 Shield and Sword: The United States Navy and the Persian Gulf War by Edward J. Marolda & Robert J. Schneller Reviewed by James R. FitzSimonds 52 Combined Fleet Decoded: The Secret History of American Intelligence and the Japanese Navy in World War II by John Prados Reviewed by Richard Florence 52 The Origins and Technology of the Advanced Extravehicular Space Suit by Gary Harris Reviewed by Samantha Gallagher 53 XIX Tactical Air Command and ULTRA: Patton’s Force Enhancers in the 1944 Campaign in France by Bradford Schwedo & Air Power for Patton’s Army: The XIX Tactical Air Command in the Second World War by David N. Spires Reviewed by James Gates 54 A Command Post at War: First Army Headquarters in Europe 1943–1945 by David W. Hogan, Jr. Reviewed by James A. Painter 57 Because I Fly: A Collection of Aviation Poetry by Lt. Col. Helmut H. Reda, USAF (Ed.) Reviewed by Scott Willey 57 Books Received 58 Coming Up 60 History Mystery 63 Letters, News, Notices, Reunions, and In Memoriam 64 COVER: MSgt. Bart Decker, an Air Force combat controller from AFSOC, rides horseback with the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. He and fellow combat controllers provided air traffic control support for aircraft during Operation Enduring Freedom. (Air Force photo) The Air Force Historical Foundation Air Force Historical Foundation 1535 Command Drive – Suite A122 Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002 (301) 981-2139 (301) 981-3574 Fax E-Mail: [email protected] The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation http://afhistoricalfoundation.com Spring 2003 Volume 50 Number 1 Publisher Officers Contributing Members Brian S. Gunderson President The individuals and companies listed are contributing Editor Gen. William Y. Smith, USAF (Ret) members of the Air Force Historical Foundation. The Jacob Neufeld Vice-President Foundation Trustees and members are grateful for their Gen. John A. Shaud, USAF (Ret) support and contributions to preserving, perpetuating, Technical Editor Secretary-Treasurer and publishing the history and traditions of American Robert F. Dorr Maj. Gen. John S. Patton, USAF (Ret) aviation. Executive Director Book Review Editor Col. Joseph A. Marston, USAF (Ret) Benefactor Scott A. Willey Advisors Mrs. Ruth A. (Ira C.) Eaker Estate Layout and Typesetting Gen. John P. Jumper, USAF Richard I. Wolf Lt. Gen. John R. Dallager, USAF Patron Advertising Lt. Gen. Donald A. Lamontagne, USAF Brig. Gen. Ronald T. Rand, USAF Maj. Gen. Ramsay Potts Mark D. Mandeles CMSAF Gerald R. Murray, USAF Quesada Foundation Circulation Richard I. Wolf Trustees Sponsors Col. Kenneth J. Alnwick, USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. William Lyon Mr. F. Clifton Berry, Jr. Maj. Gen. John S. Patton Lt. Col. Maynard Y. Binge, USAF (Ret) Gen. William Y. Smith Air Power History (ISSN 1044-016X) Lt.Gen. Devol Brett, USAF (Ret) is produced in March, June, September, Lt.Gen. William E. Brown, USAF (Ret) and December by the Air Force Historical Lt.Gen. Charles G. Cleveland, USAF (Ret) Donors Foundation. Lt.Gen. John Conaway, USAF (Ret) Gen. Bennie L. Davis, USAF (Ret) Mr. John F. Donahue Prospective contributors should consult the Brig.Gen. Michael DeArmond, USAF (Ret) Emerson Electric GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS at Gen. Robert J. Dixon, USAF (Ret) Rockwell International the back of this journal. Unsolicited manu- Gen. Michael J. Dugan, USAF (Ret) Gen. Bernard A. Schriever Gen. Howell M. Estes, Jr., USAF (Ret) scripts will be returned only on specific Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF(Ret) request. The Editor cannot accept responsi- Mr. John E. Greenwood Supporters bility for any damage to or loss of the man- Brig.Gen. Brian S. Gunderson, USAF (Ret) uscript. The Editor reserves the right to Maj.Gen. John P. Henebry, USAF (Ret) The Aerospace Corporation edit manuscripts and letters. Col. George A. Henry, Jr., USAF (Ret) Allied-Signal Aerospace Corporation Gen. Robert T. Herres, USAF (Ret) Arthur Metcalf Foundation Address Letters to the Editor to: Dr. I. B. Holley, Jr. CSX Corporation Maj.Gen. Jeanne M. Holm, USAF (Ret) Brig. Gen. Brian S. Gunderson Air Power History Lt.Gen. Bradley C. Hosmer, USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. John P. Henebry P.O. Box 10328 Brig.Gen. Alfred F. Hurley, USAF (Ret) Gen. & Mrs. Robert T. Herres Rockville, MD 20849-0328 Brig.Gen. James A. Jaeger, USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. Harold E. Humfeld e-mail: [email protected] Gen. David C. Jones, USAF (Ret) McDonnell Douglas Foundation Mr. John Kreis, USAF (Ret) Maj. Gen. Kenneth P. Miles Correspondence regarding missed issues Lt.Col. Kathy La Sauce, USAF (Ret) Northrop-Grumman Corporation or changes of address should be addressed Maj.Gen. Charles D. Link, USAF (Ret) Mr. William O’Rourke Lt.Col. Donald S. Lopez, USAF (Ret) Mr. James Parton to the Circulation Office: Hon. Hans Mark Mr. George Pendelton Air Power History CMSgt Norman A. Marous, USAF Pratt & Whitney P.O. Box 151150 Hon. John L. McLucas United Technologies Alexandria, Virginia 22315 Col. Kenneth Moll, USAF (Ret) Capt. William C. Ward Telephone: (301) 981-2139 Gen. Thomas S. Moorman, Jr., USAF(Ret) Maj. Gen. Richard A. Yudkin Fax: (703) 923-0848 Col. Helen E. O’Day, USAF (Ret) e-mail: [email protected] Hon. Verne Orr CMSgtAF Sam E. Parish, USAF (Ret) Annual Contributing Members Maj.Gen. John S. Patton, USAF (Ret) Advertising Maj.Gen. Ramsay D. Potts, USAF (Ret) ANSER Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, USAF (Ret) ARX, Inc. Mark Mandeles Gen. John A. Shaud, USAF (Ret) ASTECH/MCI Manufacturing, Inc. 8910 Autumn Leaf Ct. Gen. Jacob E. Smart, USAF (Ret) Beech Aircraft Corporation Fairfax, VA 22301 Gen. William Y. Smith, USAF (Ret) Boeing Defense & Space Group (703) 426-5147; fax 426-5149 Dr. George K. Tanham General Electric Company e-mail: [email protected] Col. Robert E. Vickers, Jr., USAF (Ret) Instrument Systems Corp. MSgt. Charles J. Warth, USAF (Ret) Litton Industries Copyright © 2003 by the Air Force Col. George R. Weinbrenner, USAF (Ret) Lockheed Martin Corp. Historical Foundation. All rights reserved. Col. Sherman W. Wilkins, USAF (Ret) The Mitre Corporation Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, VA Maj.Gen. Richard A. Yudkin, USAF (Ret) Northrop Corporation 24450 and additional mailing offices. Vinell Corporation Postmaster: Please send change of address to the Circulation Office. 2 AIR POWER History / SPRING 2003 From the Editor In his third contribution to Air Power History on the subject of early Soviet aviation, Viktor Kulikov writes about the beginning of the USSR’s ship-based airplanes. Initially based on German planes and launchers, the Soviets experimented extensively from the late 1920s until 1950. Their interest then waned and attention turned to ship-based helicopters. “Brick” Eisel and Daniel Watkins retell the story of the famous 1924 round-the-world flight by the U.S. Army Air Service Douglas World Cruisers. Their interest was sparked by the chance discovery, in a storage area of the Air Force Art Collection, of the Collier Trophy awarded for that historic flight. A year ago, on March 27, 2002, the trophy was reunited with other artifacts of the famous flight housed at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. On June 14, 1943, when a B-17C Flying Fortress, operated as a transport, crashed at Baker’s Creek, Australia, killing forty American GIs aboard, the news was suppressed because of wartime exigencies. The accident was little known for about fifty years, until some Australians and Americans, including author Robert Cutler, began to investigate. Cutler’s interest was partly personal—in 1943, his father, the executive officer of the near- by U.S.