French Strategic and Tactical Bombardment Forces of World War I
A welcomed addition to the body of World War I literature in English that all too often under-appreciates France's contributions to the war effort. (François Le RoyThe Journal Of Military History, January 2008)Martel, who fought the Great War from the sky as an observer and bombardier, first published this most important and detailed description of the French art of bombardment in 1939. It is only now that his work has been translated into English and edited, revealing how strategy and tactics in French aviation warfare developed as the war progressed to include simple bomb-dropping, creating and effectively using bombsights, targeting based on intelligence, flying in formation and as escorts, and using aerial photography to assess damage. The able and accessible translation gives the general reader better insight into the non-technical aspects of the world of the bombardier, as Martel also writes of the propaganda war about bombing on both sides and closely describes the work of pioneers in war aviation to make a new technology fit a war fought on very traditional principles. (Reference and Research Book News)A fine piece of work....extremely well done...sure to become a classic in its own right. It belongs on the bookshelf of all serious World War I aviation history researchers, and is recommended very highly. (Over The Front, Vol. 22, No. 1, Spring 2007 (www.overthefront.com))An outstanding military history...a seminal contribution to academic library Military Studies and Aviation History reference collections. (Library Bookwatch, January 2007)The best available source on the French bombardment forces in the war...a must. (Over The Top, Vol. 1, No. 6, June 2007)Much recent scholarship has been added to the original text by making this work an important source book from a Great War airman who created this first, and greatest, history of early aerial bombardment. Western Front enthusiasts simply must have this book. (Stand To! The Journal Of The Western Front Association, January 2008)Steven and Allen Suddaby deserve high praise....The Suddabys' work will have rendered a much needed contribution to the history of the First World War in general. (John H. Morrow, Jr., University of GeorgiaThe International History Review)Truly a mammoth undertaking....The author has produced what can only be described as a well written and detailed account....This is a truly great book....A must. (The '14 - '18 Journal)