Grid: The life and times of First World War fighter ace Keith Caldwell
This gripping biography of Air Commodore Keith ‘Grid’ Caldwell CBE, MC, DFC & bar, Croix de guerre, tells the story of his remarkable exploits during the First World War. Flying single-seat fighters against the best of the German air force, including the Red Baron’s Flying Circus and airmen such as Werner Voss, Caldwell accumulated 26 victories in aerial combat. Over his illustrious career he flew with numerous ‘stars’ of the British air service, including Albert Ball, William ‘Billy’ Bishop and Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock. In the last year of the war, aged only 22, he was given command of the new 74 Squadron. Under his leadership 74 ‘Tiger’ Sqaudron become one of the war’s most feared and revered units. Written by a leading military historian, Grid details Caldwell’s journey from early flight training in Auckland to his death-defying sorties over enemy lines on the Western Front. It also details his pivotal role in sustaining military aviation in interwar New Zealand, and his role in reinvigorating interest in the airmen of the First World War during the 1960s and 1970s.
1145868653
Grid: The life and times of First World War fighter ace Keith Caldwell
This gripping biography of Air Commodore Keith ‘Grid’ Caldwell CBE, MC, DFC & bar, Croix de guerre, tells the story of his remarkable exploits during the First World War. Flying single-seat fighters against the best of the German air force, including the Red Baron’s Flying Circus and airmen such as Werner Voss, Caldwell accumulated 26 victories in aerial combat. Over his illustrious career he flew with numerous ‘stars’ of the British air service, including Albert Ball, William ‘Billy’ Bishop and Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock. In the last year of the war, aged only 22, he was given command of the new 74 Squadron. Under his leadership 74 ‘Tiger’ Sqaudron become one of the war’s most feared and revered units. Written by a leading military historian, Grid details Caldwell’s journey from early flight training in Auckland to his death-defying sorties over enemy lines on the Western Front. It also details his pivotal role in sustaining military aviation in interwar New Zealand, and his role in reinvigorating interest in the airmen of the First World War during the 1960s and 1970s.
55.0 In Stock
Grid: The life and times of First World War fighter ace Keith Caldwell

Grid: The life and times of First World War fighter ace Keith Caldwell

by Adam Claasen
Grid: The life and times of First World War fighter ace Keith Caldwell

Grid: The life and times of First World War fighter ace Keith Caldwell

by Adam Claasen

Hardcover

$55.00 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 3-7 days. Typically arrives in 3 weeks.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

This gripping biography of Air Commodore Keith ‘Grid’ Caldwell CBE, MC, DFC & bar, Croix de guerre, tells the story of his remarkable exploits during the First World War. Flying single-seat fighters against the best of the German air force, including the Red Baron’s Flying Circus and airmen such as Werner Voss, Caldwell accumulated 26 victories in aerial combat. Over his illustrious career he flew with numerous ‘stars’ of the British air service, including Albert Ball, William ‘Billy’ Bishop and Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock. In the last year of the war, aged only 22, he was given command of the new 74 Squadron. Under his leadership 74 ‘Tiger’ Sqaudron become one of the war’s most feared and revered units. Written by a leading military historian, Grid details Caldwell’s journey from early flight training in Auckland to his death-defying sorties over enemy lines on the Western Front. It also details his pivotal role in sustaining military aviation in interwar New Zealand, and his role in reinvigorating interest in the airmen of the First World War during the 1960s and 1970s.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780995102934
Publisher: Massey University Press
Publication date: 12/01/2024
Pages: 440
Product dimensions: 6.75(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr Adam Claasen is an historian at Massey University, New Zealand. He is a Smithsonian Institution Fellowship grantee, a Fulbright Scholarship (Georgetown University) awardee and a Massey University research team medallist. Adam teaches on the Second World War and American foreign policy and is a Vice-Chancellor’s award recipient for sustained excellence in teaching. He has presented conference papers and published on military intelligence, air power and geostrategy.

Table of Contents

Foreword 9 Introduction 11 Chapter 1 Very Lucky Still 19 Chapter 2 Favoured Ones 28 Chapter 3 Clear-eyed Young Men 38 Chapter 4 Magnificent 51 Chapter 5 Wings 61 Chapter 6 Flaming Onions 75 Chapter 7 Maniacs 88 Chapter 8 Fire Eaters 101 Chapter 9 Black Crosses 116 Chapter 10 Hot Stuff 131 Chapter 11 Leading Lights 150 Chapter 12 Clever Caldwell 168 Chapter 13 Dentist’s Chair 186 Chapter 14 Day of Days 205 Chapter 15 Bravest of the Brave 226 Chapter 16 Immolation 244 Chapter 17 Great Escape 262 Chapter 18 Richthofen’s Bed 281 Chapter 19 Tea for Two 300 Chapter 20 Mutiny 317 Chapter 21 Savoy 340 Chapter 22 More Gravy 360 Chapter 23 Straight Bat 381 Keith Caldwell’s victories 392 Front lines and airfields, 1918 393 Souvenirs of war 394 Notes 395 Select bibliography 424 Acknowledgements 428 About the author 430 Image credits 431 Index 432
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews