A Century of British Naval Aviation 1909 - 2009

by Wragg, David

• ISBN13: 9781848840362
• ISBN10: 1848840365
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-08-19
• Publisher: Pen & Sword

Summary

Above the Waves is the history of the first century of British Naval aviation, with personal accounts adding colour to the achievements both in technology, such as angled flight decks, mirror deck landing systems, helicopter assault and vertical take-off, and in operations, including the sinking of the Konigsberg and the daring attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto, convoy protection, operations with the United States Navy in the Pacific, then, post-war, Suez, and later the recovery of the Falklands from Argentine invasion.The Royal Navy was in the forefront of aviation from a very early stage. As the author reveals Officers such as the legendary Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher quickly recognised the strategic and tactical importance of air power. Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, volunteered the Navy for the air defence of the UK in WW1 but with the formation of the RAF in 1918 the Navy had a fierce fight to retain its own air arms and this is a struggle that has continued up to the present day.Not only are there many thrilling accounts of operations but this fascinating book also includes a chronology of major events. Above the Waves will appeal to those who have served, those who serve today and those who intend to serve in the future, and for their relatives and the many enthusiasts who sense the particular excitement of air operations at sea.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	p. vii
Acknowledgements	p. viii
Glossary	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
In the Beginning	p. 6
Defending the United Kingdom	p. 16
The Search for Air Power at Sea	p. 23
On the Western Front	p. 29
Gallipoli	p. 32
A Lighter Shade of Blue	p. 35
A Bad Start to the War	p. 48
The USN Comes to the Aid of the FAA	p. 54
The Forgotten Victory	p. 66
Bringing the Enemy to Battle	p. 78
The Urgent Need for More Flight Decks	p. 87
Over Desert and Sea	p. 100
Protecting the Convoys	p. 113
Back to the East	p. 141
An Uneasy Peace	p. 152
Into the Jet and Helicopter Age	p. 165
The Falklands Saves the Carriers	p. 176
A Changing Role	p. 185
The Future	p. 188
Naval Air Stations, 1914-18	p. 191
Naval Air Stations, 1939-45	p. 196
Seaplane Tenders and Aircraft Carriers 1914-18	p. 209
Aircraft Carriers 1939-45	p. 211
Post-War Aircraft Carriers	p. 216
Standard Convoy Air Patrol Code Names	p. 220
Chronology	p. 221
Bibliography	p. 242
Index	p. 244
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