War Amongst the Clouds: My Flying Experiences in World War I and the Follow-On Years 1920-1983
This is a story written by a young man who trained as a pilot, and then flew with the Royal Flying Corps in France during the First World War, eventually to become an ace. It is one of survival against the odds at a time when the conduct of air operations depended so much on individual skills, innovation, courage – and luck. Hugh White flew F.E.2D Scout aircraft as a reconnaissance patrol pilot and later in the war was promoted to squadron leader of squadrons flying the S.E.5a which was Britain’s best fighter aircraft at the time. During the two years of flying, he experienced and survived a series of escapades including a dramatic mid-air collision with the enemy. Told by Hugh in his own words, he gives a unique insight into war in the air. With the break-up of his squadron and being reduced to a substantive rank – simply because of his young age, Hugh’s writing ends in 1919. From this point, the story is continued by his younger son Christopher. He describes Hugh’s life and RAF career from flying in India during the 1920s through the Second World War until his retirement as an air vice-marshal in 1955. This book includes a foreword by Sir Frederick Sowrey (Hugh’s nephew) which puts Hugh White’s early wartime service into context. It is a timely reminder, following the centenary of the end of the First World War, of the difficulties that young pilots faced at the time. A must-read for those interested in wartime exploits.
1132895341
War Amongst the Clouds: My Flying Experiences in World War I and the Follow-On Years 1920-1983
This is a story written by a young man who trained as a pilot, and then flew with the Royal Flying Corps in France during the First World War, eventually to become an ace. It is one of survival against the odds at a time when the conduct of air operations depended so much on individual skills, innovation, courage – and luck. Hugh White flew F.E.2D Scout aircraft as a reconnaissance patrol pilot and later in the war was promoted to squadron leader of squadrons flying the S.E.5a which was Britain’s best fighter aircraft at the time. During the two years of flying, he experienced and survived a series of escapades including a dramatic mid-air collision with the enemy. Told by Hugh in his own words, he gives a unique insight into war in the air. With the break-up of his squadron and being reduced to a substantive rank – simply because of his young age, Hugh’s writing ends in 1919. From this point, the story is continued by his younger son Christopher. He describes Hugh’s life and RAF career from flying in India during the 1920s through the Second World War until his retirement as an air vice-marshal in 1955. This book includes a foreword by Sir Frederick Sowrey (Hugh’s nephew) which puts Hugh White’s early wartime service into context. It is a timely reminder, following the centenary of the end of the First World War, of the difficulties that young pilots faced at the time. A must-read for those interested in wartime exploits.
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War Amongst the Clouds: My Flying Experiences in World War I and the Follow-On Years 1920-1983

War Amongst the Clouds: My Flying Experiences in World War I and the Follow-On Years 1920-1983

War Amongst the Clouds: My Flying Experiences in World War I and the Follow-On Years 1920-1983

War Amongst the Clouds: My Flying Experiences in World War I and the Follow-On Years 1920-1983

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Overview

This is a story written by a young man who trained as a pilot, and then flew with the Royal Flying Corps in France during the First World War, eventually to become an ace. It is one of survival against the odds at a time when the conduct of air operations depended so much on individual skills, innovation, courage – and luck. Hugh White flew F.E.2D Scout aircraft as a reconnaissance patrol pilot and later in the war was promoted to squadron leader of squadrons flying the S.E.5a which was Britain’s best fighter aircraft at the time. During the two years of flying, he experienced and survived a series of escapades including a dramatic mid-air collision with the enemy. Told by Hugh in his own words, he gives a unique insight into war in the air. With the break-up of his squadron and being reduced to a substantive rank – simply because of his young age, Hugh’s writing ends in 1919. From this point, the story is continued by his younger son Christopher. He describes Hugh’s life and RAF career from flying in India during the 1920s through the Second World War until his retirement as an air vice-marshal in 1955. This book includes a foreword by Sir Frederick Sowrey (Hugh’s nephew) which puts Hugh White’s early wartime service into context. It is a timely reminder, following the centenary of the end of the First World War, of the difficulties that young pilots faced at the time. A must-read for those interested in wartime exploits.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781911621430
Publisher: Grub Street
Publication date: 08/29/2019
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Group Captain Chris Granville White flew Hunters in the Middle East and Germany. He then flew Harriers in Germany as a flight commander and off-base field site commander. He was also a Jaguar squadron commander in the recce and attack roles. While in MoD Operational Requirements he drafted the operational requirement for the Eurofighter Typhoon with his air force colleagues in Germany, Italy and Spain, serving on the four-nation board of directors for eight years.

Table of Contents

Foreword Air Marshal Sir Frederick Sowrey, KCB, CBE, AFC 9

Preface and Acknowledgements 11

Part 1 Flying Experiences in World War I

1 In the Beginning 17

2 Learning to Fly 20

3 On Active Service 26

4 Instructing Flying Training 47

5 Second Period of Active Service 53

6 Post-War Squadron Commander in France and Occupied Germany 59

Part 2 The Follow-On Years 1920 - 1983

7 Reflections 65

8 The Royal Air Force - A New Beginning 69

9 The Early 1920s 72

10 India 1924-1928 84

11 The 1930s and Life as a Technical Officer 127

12 Back to Flying - RAF Filton and No. 501 (City of Bristol) Squadron 137

13 Singapore 1936-1939 148

14 Back in Great Britain 1939 - the Second World War 156

15 Post-War Germany - the British Air Forces of Occupation 170

16 The Early 1950s - Senior Appointments in RAF Maintenance Command 191

17 A Long Retirement 204

Appendices

A Letter of Recommendation - May 1918 211

B Royal Air Force War Communique 1918 213

C RAF operational message dated 5th May 1918 215

D Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing): Rules for Flying (Aeroplanes and Airships) 218

E Copy of letter to a magazine about the R.E.7 Reconnaissance Experimental Aircraft 219

F Lieutenant Herbert Beresford White 220

G Colonel Frederick Minchin 222

H No. 20 Squadron casualties (4th July 1916- 3rd June 1917) 224

I Hugh Granville White Q&A 227

Endnotes 231

Bibliography 234

Index 236

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