VICTORY THROUGH AIR POWER - 1942
by Major Alexander P. de Seversky
 
Published in 1942 by Simon and Schuster.
354 pages and 48 black and white photographs and illustrations.
Major Seversky fought as a pilot in World War One and held many
aviation records and honors. He designed fighting planes and
bombsights. From the dust jacket flap: "Already we in America
can make planes that will fly to any enemy capital, drop a load
of bombs, and return to our shores. Yet we have failed to unchain
our potential air power. Earthbound brass hats and diehard believers
in sea power have left the offensive to the Axis. They have refused
to permit our nation to take the offensive ourselves - in the
air. Every major battle in this war has underlined the importance
of air power. Germany won Poland, Norway, France, and Crete by
controlling the air. It was the RAF that saved Britain. Aircraft
played a major role in the great battles on Russian soil. Japan
blasted Pear Harbor from the air. As the author points out, we
shall lose the war unless we begin to think and fight primarily
in terms of air power. The strategy of victory calls for a separate
air force and a unified high command." This book gives a
view of World War Two from the heat of battle rather than from
the distant future of today. TOC includes: The Challenges to
America - Skagerrak and Dunkirk - The Battle of Britain - The
Mediterranean and the Bismark - Possession or Elimination - Air-Power
Lessons for America - The Twilight of Sea Power - Europe's Aviation
Mistakes-and Ours - The Ordeal of American Air Power - The Emancipation
of Air Power - Organization of Air Supremacy - and Victory Through
Air Power! Includes a photo of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. RANGER
with a deck full of biplanes! Another really great photo is of
the author in a Farman-4 taken in 1915. The photo is sharp and
clear and amazing! Photos and illustrations also feature the
Messerschmitt 109, Dornier D-215, the Hurricane, the Spitfire,
and more. Hard cover. This book measures 8 inches high by 5 inches
wide. The dust jacket shows signs of age and wear but the book
itself is in excellent condition. There is no foxing or staining
of the pages and they are all tight to the binding.
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