Continuing with this extensive series of Arab air power is the tenth volume and it covers the beginning weeks of the first Arab-Israeli war of 1948. 1948 was the year that the British planned on leaving Palestine, the UN already having determined the borders of the Arab and Jewish states. However, it is not surprising that this did not sit well with either side. Zionists were determined to snag as much territory as possible and the surrounding Arab nations wanted to do the same thing.

Of the five Arab nations, the one with the largest army and air force was Egypt. So it is not surprising that much of the fighting was against the Egyptians in the south. In the north, the smaller forces of Lebanon, Syria and Iraq were available with only Syria really having anything close to an offensive air force that was mostly consisting of armed T-6 trainers. In the east, the Arab League operating out of Transjordan was the main land force with basically no air cover.

Just prior to the British departure, the Zionist forces started invading and attacking Arab villages, either killing the inhabitants or at least forcing them to flee. These forces were brutal in their treatment of these populations, much like Arab forces were to Zionist settlers. Once this began, the Arab forces started their operations to push out Zionists. During the time period of this volume, the Egyptian Air Forces pretty well controlled the skies with the now Israelis having only light aircraft though they were starting to get Avia fighters from Czechoslovakia. These light aircraft were no match for Egyptian Spitfires so only operated at night.

During the period covered by this volume, which is the first two weeks of the war, Arab forces were making their greatest advances and were victorious in most of their confrontations. The authors of this book have really done their research on this one and it provides a day by day account of this initial fortnight of warfare. Each day provides a look at the ground operations as well as the separate air operations by both sides. It provides a more balanced look at the events of the time rather than the 'history is written by the victors' that we all grew up with in regards to the Israeli war of independence. Bolstered by first hand accounts, over 100 period photos, profiles, and maps, it is a superb introduction into this part of world history. Those with an interest in Arab air power will want to add this one to their library.

June 2024

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved. No reproduction in part or in whole without express permission.

Review book courtesy of  Casemate Publishers, where you can order your copy at this link.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.