[Paul]

I am in the process of doing an MA on the FWW at Wolverhampton University and would like to explore this topic for my dissertation as not a lot seems to have been written on what was a fundamental asset to the eventual success of the campaigns in the Middle East. I Would really welcome some pointers and directions as to how I can expend this line of research in greater depth! Thanking you all in advance… :-)

[Michael Meech]

Hi

Sir Geoffrey Salmond in a post-war lecture ‘Work of the RAF in the Final Offensive in Palestine’, AIR 1/498/15/321/1, has a limited mention of aerial photography. The attached are from pages 10 & 13.

Mike

[David Millar]

OI would refer you to the wonderful book in the CCI Library called ‘Wings Over Mesopotamia’. I would also Google Michael Molkentin who has his PhD thesis on line and covers Australian Flying Corps operations in the Middle East Theatre. The Australian Mesopotamian Half Flight were the first allied airmen into Mesopotamia and conducted all aerial reconnaissance until the arrival of other elements of No 30 SQN and RNAS forces in late 1915 and early 1916. I would also point you toward Jones (Official History) and also Edmund Chandler. White’s ‘Guests of the Unspeakable’ gives good first hand accounts of the conditions and flying conditions. Good luck!

[Paul]

Michael & David: Thanks for your input and ‘leads’ – it really is much appreciated. – David, my copy of ‘Wings Over Mesopotamia’ arrived on Saturday! – I will follow your other leads with great interest. Unless I am mistaken, this subject doesn’t seem to have had a lot written about it which makes this journey of exploration all the more exciting! :-)

[Nick Forder]

I’ve just downloaded the 1918 War Diary for 395th Battery RGA and it contains some interesting info on art obs work in Mespot. It’s available as a free download from TNA – https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ – so grab it while you can

[Paul]

Thanks for the lead Nick, much appreciated! :-)

[John Hale]

There’s also “British Military Intelligence in the Palestine Campaign” which briefly covers RFC/RAF ops.

[Paul]

Thanks John! :-)

[Ian Burns]

Hi Paul,
A little slow getting to this but…
I am working on a history of the Egypt Detachment, RFC, 1914-1915 for the Journal.
In the process of research I have copied a lot of material which may either help or hinder your research.
Drop me an email – [email protected] – and we can talk.
Ian

[Paul]

Mike,

Thank You!

Much appreciated.

Slowly this project is coming together, clearly a huge input to the success of the campaigns in the Middle East but surprisingly so little research seems to have be done has to highlight the input and importance of this subject.

Best

Paul.

[Paul]

Ian,

Many Thanks! I will be in touch.

Best

Paul.

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