A HISTORY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AIR WAR 1940-1945 (Volume One: North Africa June 1940 - January 1942)

It is now more than 40 years since Fighters over the Desert was published, and nearly as long since this was followed by Fighters over Tunisia. Both volumes have long been out of print and collectors' items, but, despite much prompting, Christopher Shores has resolutely refused to permit their reprinting until he amassed much more information. He had also long nursed a desire to expand the coverage to encompass the operations of the other types of aircraft involved in this important theatre of war - the bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and maritime units. Further, he wanted to extend the period covered to include the later operations over Sicily, Italy, the Aegean area, the Balkans and Southern Europe.

This then represents the first volume of a seminal series dealing with all these aspects and areas, which will also tie in with the earlier Grub Street volumes which he and his collaborators have produced. Thus a full coverage of all aspects of aerial operations throughout the whole of the Mediterranean area will be the ultimate result. Further, these volumes will link appropriately and directly with his other works of this nature, dealing both with the Far East and the war in Europe. Readers will then be able to follow the wartime careers of units and personnel involved from volume to volume throughout the war.

Operations directly over the main battlefronts are dealt with as previously, on a daily basis. However, to allow a clearer view to be obtained of operations elsewhere in the theatre, or of a different nature, separate chapters deal specifically with the night bombers, the air defence of the base areas, and the naval co-operation activities.

Wide use of maps will be made throughout this and subsequent volumes together with a considerable number of photographs integrated into the text, many never seen before. Long awaited by many, if any work can be said to be comprehensive and definitive, this is it.

Volume 2 will cover the North African Desert War, 1 February '42 - 31 March '43.

PRESS REVIEWS 

« A monumental book...heavily illustrated with black and white photographs. This is only the first volume of the Mediterranean Air War and when the series is completed it will constitute the most complete record of this theatre of war to have been compiled. It is unlikely to be surpassed. »

- Britain At War Magazine

« This is the start of a long-awaited, comprehensive and definitive set of books.»

-Flypast

« With 560 pages, this is a bulky volume with a large number of illustrations. The narratives include many personal accounts so there is plenty of reading material. This is a formidable compilation from a team of military aviation historians and has a place on the bookshelf of any serious aviation historian. »

-Aeromilitaria (Air-Britain Military Aviation Historical Quarterly)

« This all makes for a serious read, while offering an illuminating account of a gradually accelerating conflict, its highs, its lows and the extraordinary rate of attritional losses sustained by all concerned. A reference volume, rather than a straightforward read, and a volume for the shelves of the dedicated historian; recommended. »

-Michael Armitage, The Bulletin of the Military Historical Society

« It is difficult to believe that anything produced in the future will match the quality, historical detail and commentary of this book... This book is strongly recommended and many will look forward to the publication of the other six volumes, all of which I expect to become the definitive accounts and the first point of reference for the Mediterranean Air War. »

-Air Cdre Graham Pitchfork, Royal Air Force Historical Society Journal

(Source : amazon.com)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Christopher Shores began by writing the occasional book about military aviation, then quickened the pace as he grew older. By now, readers and reviewers are hard-pressed to keep up with him. Meanwhile, he pursued a career as a land surveyor and director of one of Europe's largest firms of property advisers.

(Source : amazon.com)