Wings — Over the Somme — 1916-1918
Prix régulier 20,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 9781872424385 |
| ISBN-10 | 1872424384 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( round back binding ) |
| Special Features | • Dust jacket |
| Condition | Like NEW |
| Author(s) | Gwilym H Lewis |
| Publisher | Bridge Books |
| Number of pages | 208 |
| Published date | First edited in 1976 Published in 1994 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 18 x 25.5 x 1.5 cm |
Description
WINGS OVER THE SOMME is a modern classic of military aviation history. First published in 1976, it has long been sought after on the second-hand book market.
The author, Welshman Gwilym Lewis, joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1915 and was posted to France with No 32 Squadron at the age of eighteen, flying the DH2 single-seater scout aircraft. Later, after a period as an instructor, he was posted to 40 Squadron as a Flight Commander flying the SE5a.
During his service, he regularly corresponded with his family, who preserved every letter and later returned them to him. The narrative of this book is based upon these letters, which reflect the development of the author as he witnessed war from the cockpit of what now seem to be frail biplanes. When he first went into action, he was only a few months out of school, and his letters reflect his relative naivety. By the end of the war, he was a veteran air fighter with a DFC and a creditable tally of 12 enemy aircraft destroyed.
After leaving the RAF, he took up a civilian career before rejoining shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, becoming a member of Churchill's Joint Planning Staff in the underground Central War Room.
This new, expanded edition includes a selection of letters written by Edmund Lewis, the author’s brother who was killed in action in 1916, as well as entries from a diary kept by the author during 1916. The number of photographs has also been considerably increased.
The letters have been edited by noted air historian Chaz Bowyer and are illustrated with many photographs from Wing Commander Lewis’ own albums.
‘…a collection of letters written home by a young aviator which has been edited with sense and feeling by Chaz Bowyer; it makes a most enjoyable book.’ – RAF Farnborough News
‘Gwilym Lewis has poured out pure gold.’ – Cross & Cockade (GB) Journal