Though slow to develop a tactical air force like the one Germany had during the first years of the war, the Allies, particularly the British, realized that one would be needed to help support the army when it came time to invade the continent. There was the beginnings in the deserts of North Africa with the Desert Air Force, but more was needed.

In the times between the conclusion of the North African campaign and the one in Europe that started with the Normandy invasion, The RAF worked on developing the type of mobile air force that would be needed in the battles to come. This included not only the squadrons and wings needed, but all of the ancillary units needed to support such an undertaking. To say that these units would be operating in primitive conditions would be something as an understatement. The men and equipment would be operating from forward fields without permanent maintenance or living facilities. This meant open air repair work, living in tents and operating from fields where the runway would be either bare grass or pierced steel planking (PSP).

The various wings would be mostly involved in ground attack missions as well as air superiority missions. The most successful of these wings was 126 Wing RCAF. Operating Spitfire IX and later Sptifire XIV aircraft, they proved to be quite adept at helping to protect the ground forces from aerial attack as well as assisting in carrying the attach to the Germans on the ground. Though not developed as a fighter bomber, the Spitfire proved itself as a very capable aircraft in this regime. Probably its main limiting factor was it lifting ability. It could carry a good load, but only at the expense of fuel. However, it was adaptable and much beloved by its pilots and its ground crews.

In this latest edition of the Aviation Elite Units series, author Donald Nijboer covers  as development and operations of this superb unit. There are sections taken from the official unit records as well as pilot and crew recollections. When one adds the excellent choice of period photos and the fine collection of full color profiles, you have a book that is both an interesting read and an excellent reference.

It is one that I enjoyed reading and I know you will as well. Highly recommended.

April 2010

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