Reconnaissance and Bomber Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces Book 123)

Often overshadowed by the fighters that either protected or threatened them, two-seater reconnaissance aircraft performed the oldest and most strategically vital aerial task of World War 1 a task that required them to return with the intelligence they gathered at all costs. Bomber sorties were equally important and dangerous, and the very nature of both types of mission required going in harm's way. A remarkable number of British, French and German two-seater teams managed to attain or exceed the five victories needed to achieve the acedom popularly associated with their single-seat nemeses, and in this book, with rich illustrations and first-hand accounts of the veterans themselves, they receive their long-overdue recognition. Many high-scoring single-seat fighter aces also began their careers in two-seaters, particularly in the early stages of the conflict, and their exploits as either pilots or observers are detailed here too. "The exploits of two-seater reconnaissance and bomber aircraft in World War 1 are often overshadowed by dashing fighter pilots that either protected or threatened them. But between them, these two types performed the oldest and most strategically vital tasks of military aviation- gathering intelligence about the enemy, and striking at him from above. Moreover, these important missions drew such vicious aerial opposition that the need soon arose for the two-seaters to be able to fight their way out of trouble. Ultimately armed with at least one fixed machine gun forward and a flexible one aft, two seaters were far from helpless, and during the course of fending off attacking fighters often managed to shoot down their assailants. This book, packed with first-hand accounts, detailed colour illustrations and rare contemporary photographs, charts the surprising story of the reconnaissance and bomber aces of World War 1. It reveals how many British, French, American, German and Austro-Hungarian two-seater crews were able to become an ace, and how many high-scoring single-seat fighter aces also began their careers in two-seaters." --- from back cover This book profiles a wide variety of British, French, German, Austro-Hungarian and American aircraft, ranging from frontline stalwarts like the RE 8 and AR 1 to the swift Salmson 2A2 and the compact, fighter-like Halberstadt CL II. Oft-overshadowed by the fighters that either protected or threatened them, two-seater reconnaissance aircraft performed the oldest and most strategically vital aerial task of World War 1 - a task that required them to return with the intelligence they gathered at all costs. Bomber sorties were equally important and dangerous, and the very nature of both types of mission required going in harm's way. A surprising number of British, French and German two-seater teams managed to attain or exceed the five victories needed to achieve the acedom popularly associated with their single-seat nemeses, and in this book they receive their long-overdue recognition. Many high-scoring single-seat fighter aces also began their careers in two-seaters, particularly in the early stages of the conflict, and their exploits as either pilots or observers are detailed here too. A remarkable number of British, French and German two-seater teams managed to attain or exceed the five victories needed to achieve the acedom popularly associated with their single-seat nemeses. This book comes with rich illustrations and first-hand accounts of the veterans themselves.