Wales and the Air War 1914-1918

by Alan Phillips

Overview

During the First World War, there were five air bases in Wales: two airship stations, one at Llangefni on Anglesey (RNAS Anglesey) and one at Milton in Pembrokeshire (RNAS Pembroke), a fighter/bomber station at Aber (RNAS Bangor) and a seaplane base at Fishguard (RNAS Fishguard). The Royal Flying Corps flying training school at Shotwick came into service in 1917. This book is an historical account of the contribution of squadrons and aircraft based on airfields in Wales to deterring enemy submarines from attacking shipping around the coast, including details of the operations conducted from the bases, the exploits of various airships during their long patrols, the mishaps, the actions and the tragedies. It also gives a detailed account of all the airships and aircraft based in Wales, and tells the story of the training of First World War pilots at Shotwick.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781445652207
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing
Publication date:	09/15/2015
Sold by:	INDEPENDENT PUB GROUP - EPUB - EBKS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	96
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Alan Phillips was born in Pembrokeshire, on the south-west coast of Wales, the region most associated with air defence in the two World Wars. After leaving college he joined the Royal Air Force. After completing his term in the RAF he worked for the Ministry of Defence. He is a member of the Airfield Research Group and has written several articles for aviation magazines and local newspapers, as well as several books on aviation, castles and various fortifications. He lives in Colwyn Bay.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 An Introduction to the First World War 5

Chapter 2 Formation of the Air Wings 13

Chapter 3 Airships Campaign against the U-boat 17

Chapter 4 Land-Based Aircraft Contribution 41

Chapter 5 The Seaplane Offensive 51

Chapter 6 Flying Training in Wales during the First World War 65

Chapter 7 Welsh Air Bases During the First World War 69

Appendix I Aircraft Used During the First World War 79

Appendix II List of Personnel Based in Wales 91

Acknowledgements 93

Bibliography 95

Editorial Reviews

This monograph is a brief history of the five air bases established in Wales, on the west coast of Great Britain, during the First World War. It is devoted to several of the less covered aspects of the 1914-1918 air war: home defense, lighter-than-air craft, naval aviation, and training. Wales played an important role in all those areas, as its location made it a natural guarding point of the western logistics route from the United States, the path travelled by the vital munitions, supplies, and later the Allied Expeditionary Force, on the way to combat in Europe. This illustrated text provides a good overview of RNAS, RFC and RAF squadron and aircraft activities in a vital region. Wales and the Air War is recommended.

Over the Front

This 96-page paperback chronicles how the airmen, flying machines and squadrons based in Wales deterred German U-boats from attacking shipping around the coast. Phillips details operations launched from the bases, airship exploits during extended patrols, actions, accidents, and tragedies. A reader will also find illustrations of badges and cap badges of varying services, maps, aircraft specifications, and a plethora of period photographs in this extensively illustrated and absorbing book documenting part of the Welsh war effort.

Toy Soldier and Model Figure Magazine