Through the use of contemporary photographs and informative captions, Prelude To War: The RAF 1936-1939 chronicles many of the RAF’s aircraft that continued to serve in the years immediately preceding the start of hostilities in 1939, a period of rapid technological change and mechanical innovation at a time when many European nations held their collective breath as, yet again, they witnessed the steady rise of German militarism and, ultimately, conquest.
Forced to take note of this emerging threat the British government authorized a policy of modernizing and re-equipping Britain’s armed forces. This process, frequently confusing and fitful, was by 1936 taking shape with the RAF at the forefront of modernization, although as Winston Churchill solemnly noted in 1937, ‘It was no longer in our power to forestall Hitler or to regain air parity. Nothing could now prevent the German Army and the German Air Force from becoming the strongest in Europe…we could only improve our position. We could not cure it.’
To this day, isolated perceptions still linger to the effect that by September 1939 the RAF had become an all-monoplane force with Fighter Command fielding countless squadrons of Hurricanes and Spitfires ready to overwhelm any enemy insolent enough to enter British skies. Similarly, the same perceptions suggest that a confident Bomber Command stood ready to darken German skies with armadas of modern bombers. These notions were wide of the mark – such was the power of propaganda!
Certainly, numbers of monoplanes did exist, but until the aircraft industry could expand to cope with the demands of a modern war, fleets of obsolescent biplanes had to be employed in secondary roles, with others remaining in the front line until monoplanes could replace them: there was no other choice.
It is hoped that this modest work will shed light on some of the RAF’s better known aircraft of the period, but more particularly upon those that remain virtually unknown today and which might be described as having ‘also ran’.
GUEST REVIEW FROM MARK MAGUIRE
Today I am delighted to be able to hand over my blog to my husband Mark so that he can share with you his review for Prelude to War – The RAF 1936-1939:
“The Images of War series of titles are justifiably renowned for their concise, yet informative narrative accompanied by high quality photographs frequently of a rare, or previously unpublished quality.
In this volume, the Author considers the development of the Royal Air Force, (RAF) over the period 1936 – 39. Over the course of five chapters ranging from fighters; bombers, the searchers, Army cooperation, and ‘waiting in the wings’ (prototypes under development), the evolution of the RAF inventory is laid bare, deftly juxtaposed with international political developments such as the Munich Crisis leading to reorganisation; expansion, and increased investment for Britain’s junior service.
The Interwar years had not been kind to the RAF. The dual myopia of the Ten-Year Rule and ‘the Bomber always getting through’ meant that the RAF was underfunded; imbalanced, but ultimately thankful that it had to escaped with its’ life due in no small part to the tenacity and vision of Hugh Trenchard. Whilst this is outside the timeline of this work, it is against this backdrop of ‘make do and mend’ that the Author commences the work.
The book commences with a concise overview of the geopolitical environment which Britain was operating in. The ravages of World War One and the problematic Versailles settlement are given consideration, before the Author moves onto a sympathetic but considered treatment of Neville Chamberlain and the policy of Appeasement, linking this to the subsequent reinvigoration of the RAF. The Author’s approach here is refreshing, as all too often, Neville Chamberlain’s’ pre-war accomplishments, chiefly the purchase of time, which are overlooked or dismissed as a part of a broader critique of his statecraft.
For many, the aerial theatre of the Second World War has been distilled into endless monologues focusing almost exclusively upon Hurricanes and Spitfires engaging in mortal combat with Bf109’s; 110’s, JU87’s, and sundry medium German bombers. The reality, however, was more complex, and the depth and breadth of available aircraft on the British side is perhaps greater than most realise. The Author’s implicit aim from this point onwards, is to showcase the forgotten or less glamorous types which all played their part in the development of British Air Power as the European mainland fell.
The narrative follows the conventional Images of War approach and comprises of a brief precis followed by photographs underpinned by detailed captions. The assembled images are generally of a high quality, but the ravages of time have not been kind to some, whilst others are poorly composed. The book does contain some delightful period photographs of Blenheim’s; Wellesley’s, and Hampden’s to name but a few. A particular favourite was that of the “trousered” MB 2 Interceptor prototype which literally screamed ‘Art Deco’ and was probably the last hurrah for this decadent period before the imminent privations of war.
The Author is at pains to document the forgotten aircraft and prototypes of Fighter; Bomber and Coastal commands, and whilst there will be familiar ‘faces’ in the form of the Hurricane; Spitfire, Wellington and so on, their coverage is justifiably brief. Whether the assembled aircraft contained within this book are necessarily ‘new’ will perhaps be dependant the readers prior knowledge. From a personal perspective, there were some learning points, chiefly the astonishing length of service which aircraft such as the Overstrand; Heyford, and Wapiti all enjoyed in secondary roles despite their apparent obsolescence. The predominance of Hawker products in the pre war RAF inventory was also an eye-opener.
The Author uses a degree of artistic licence to include prototypes which were ‘in the pipeline’ and not covered by the books’ timeline. In some respects, this is a welcome addition as it underpins the earlier reappraisal of Neville Chamberlain which opened the book. It is also no stretch of the imagination to say that one of the key factors behind the success of the air war in 1940 was the continual refinement and evolution of design concepts by British aircraft manufacturers against the omnipotent threat of invasion and defeat. Aircraft such as the Mosquito; Halifax, and Lancaster are a testament of this.
In conclusion, this was an enjoyable, and uncomplicated review the RAF inventory over the period 1936-1939. The narrative is accessible and pre-supposes no prior knowledge. This book could be used as a springboard for further study, or simply as a welcome addition to any self-respecting bookcase.”
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