Army Wings: A History of Army Air Observation Flying 1914-1960

By Robert Jackson

This is the fascinating story of army fixed-wing cooperation units who were made up of specially trained volunteer army personnel. These men were trained to fly, to reconnoiter across the front line in search of enemy forces and then guide artillery gunners onto the target.

From its earliest days in World War I, small low-flying aircraft have flown unarmed into combat and relayed vital information to aid accurate fall of shot and to advise front-line ground troops of enemy strength and position. They were frequently attacked by fighter aircraft and had to avoid ground-fire, often flying below treetop height. They relied purely on flying skill to outwit the enemy and yet little is known of these unsung heroes of many wars. This book redresses the balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Release date: Sep 19, 2006
• ISBN: 9781781594322

Robert Jackson

A native of St. Louis, Robert Jackson is the great-grandson of a carpenter who helped build the palaces in Forest Park for the 1904 World's Fair. He has trained for two marathons on the park's restored grounds. Although he has since lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, he remains a loyal St. Louisan, especially during baseball season when the Cardinals are playing. Robert Jackson studied American literature and culture at New York University, where he received his Ph.D. This is his first book.