WGFU: Aces and Kings

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Book Title:

Aces and Kings

Author:

E.W. Sutherland

ISBN:

1-845741-04-8

Category:

Biography

Format:

Paperback and Hardback

Summary:

Naval & Military Press reprint
275 pages and 25+ photos
Paperback edition reviewed.

An unusual book, but only in the fact that the author was an officer in No 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps and details his exploits, and those of his squadron comrades, in Palestine.

Yes, a change from all those Western Front memoirs and histories. Here's the real deal in a less 'glamourous' theatre. A theatre where the latest machines weren't always available, yet the enemy just as persistent and dangerous as that over the lines in France and Belgium.

It's a very easy read. Full of anecdotes, after action reports and some nice descriptions of unusual missions such as dealing with TE Lawrence and his men. He flew many of the iconic planes of the era, SE5s, Harry Tates, DH6s, Brisfits and more.

This is almost like having Sutherland sitting with you around a camp fire, drinking a beer or two and telling you what it was like. A typical Australian informality that helps identify with the men of No 1 squadron and all they went through.

As the last sentence of the book says, "This is my poppies." A fitting and human tribute to the men who fought and died out there.