Pen and Sword Books gave us the opportunity to review a really rare project by  John Carr . It is the book entitled "On Spartan Wings" which presents the history of Royal hellenic Air Force during the World War II. The author has prepared a book for the heroism of Royal hellenic Air Force personnel in Greece and abroad (Egypt, Rodhesia etc) in full detail covering the less known - in Britain and other countries - history.

First of all a few words about the author. John Carr was born in North Staffordshire in 1948 and has retired from a career as a journalist, correspondent and broadcaster (The Times, Wall Street Journal Europe, Vatican Radio) mainly in the Mediterranean and particularly Greece. "On Spartan Wings" book combines an interest in aviation held since his teens and his love of Greek history. He has previously written articles for specialist aviation magazines such as Aircraft.

The colorful jacket is designed by Jon Wilkinson and steals the first impression of the reader. Opening the book you shall find a list of titles for the contained photographs and a map of the main air bases from which the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF) was serving the Allied Forces. Greece was dragged into the WWII on 28th of October 1940 and it was poorly prepared at that time. Without any kind of warning the Italian forces entered the frontiers from Albania and the history starts. Greek aces like Marinos mitralexis ensured that morale of the RHAF remained high.

The end of RHAF at least in Greece came in month April of year 1941 when Luftwaffe arrived to rescue Duce's Regia Aeronautica. A single squadron, with just 5 Avro Ansons escaped to Egypt, where British forces were bracing for Rommel’s onslaught. Out of this small squadron new squadrons popped up equipped with modern aircrafts and played a decisive part in the Allied victory at El Alamein. Until Greece was liberated in month October of year 1944 the RHAF units in the Allied air forces ranged over targets in the Aegean Sea, Italy and Yugoslavia. After the end of World War II the RHAF returns back home in Greece and played a major part during the Civil War.

Implemented research by John Carr makes this book a tribute to the skill and heroism of the Greek airmen and a valuable account of a neglected aspect of WWII air warfare.

Click on the image above to get a special offer by Pen and Sword Books. Get 25% off for the  "On Spartan Wings" book. When the official offer is over and only for airforce.gr fans you can use the following CODE: OSW20 to access the 25% offer.

Preview of the  "On Spartan Wings" book.

REVIEWS

The Greeks suffered during the Italian and German invasion with a very poorly equipped air force and with support from the RAF which was also poorly equipped because first priority went to British home defence and then to Egypt, leaving little that could be sent to Greece.The author tells the story of the Greek defeat and the development of a new Greek air force in Egypt that grew to three full squadrons equipped with modern British aircraft and returned to Greece after liberation to confront the communist rebels that were attempting to take over Greece.This is a valuable account of Greek fortunes during WWII but it also adds to the under told story of the Greek civil war that followed liberation where the RHAF proved a stabilizing force against the communists.

• Firetrench Reviews

This is the story of the Royal Hellenic Air Force in World War Two and if, like me, you knew nothing or little about it, it will be a real eye-opener. It is because information is so scarce that it makes it all the more valuable that somebody has produced a book telling of this little-known - in Britain, at least - epic of aviation heroism.

• Shropshire Star (County)

All too often when studying the Second World War everything focuses on Britain, Germany, America, France and Russia; forgetting that there were many other countries involved and that each have their own stories to tell. This book goes part of the way to changing that pattern. Carr looks at the role of the Royal Hellenic Air Force. It is a detailed study of an air force and air battles which are often overlooked or little known.He highlights the problems caused by the lack of an air defence warning system causing civilian aircraft to be mistaken for enemy planes. Information is also provided about the role of the British contingent sent over to help the Greeks which gave the RHAF breathing space and undoubtedly kept the RHAF flying and fighting long after it could have done so unaided. With the fall of Greece, many pilots refused to submit to the Germans and flew to Egypt to join with the Allied forces, resulting in the creation of the 335 Mira squadron with operational links with the RAF.Particulalry interesting are the tales of training in Rhodesia - again a little known subject, and one offering lots of challenges for the instructors and trainees. Typical of these were how to cope if you have to land in the jungle, and the problems of teaching trainees with little knowledge of English. An extremely interesting and informative book. It has been well researched and fills a definite gap in the market.

• MonstersandCritics