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THE GREAT WAR IN THE AIR BIBLIOGRAPHY PROJECT |
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SHOLTO DOUGLAS Douglas (later Lord Douglas Of Kirtleside) is mostly associated with the Second World War. In 1941 he succeeded Hugh Downing as the head of Fighter Command and would later be knighted and promoted to Marshall Of The RAF. |
Douglas, Sholto
Combat And Command
Simon & Shuster
New York
1966
806 pp
This volume is a compilation of Douglas's two earlier books "Years Of Combat" and "Years Of Command".
Estimated Value: $12 - $17
The son of a famous
art historian (whom Douglas calls a "remarkable man; thrice married and
having fathered eighteen children) and descended from the Earl Of Queensberry
(the fellow who created the rules governing boxing), young Sholto first went to
France in 1914 as an artillery officer. When the fledgling RFC posted a request
looking to recruit gunners for temporary service as air observers Douglas
volunteered and so began his long career in aviation. Before the war's end he
would go on to command RFC 84 Squadron.
This first volume of his memoir traces his career through wartime
service and concludes in 1919 with him serving as chief test pilot for
Handley-Page. Of course Douglas would later play an important part in the
Battle Of Britain and then replace Hugh Dowding as head of Fighter
Command.
RELATED READING :

1963 Years Of Combat Douglas, Sholto
1985 S.E.5a In Action Conners, John F.
1987 The Airman's War Liddle, Peter
1990 Above The Trenches Shores, Franks & Guest
1990 Royal Flying Corps Communiques 1915-1916 Cole, Christopher, Editor
1995 The Royal Flying Corps In France Barker, Ralph
2002 British Fighter Units 1914-1916 Alex Revell