Page 95 - History of War - Issue 01-14

THE GREAT WAR SEEN FROM THE AIR

Various authors Yale University Press RRP £40 REVIEWS
★★★★★
uring the First World way, it emphasises how such
War, aerial photographs devastating losses became
were taken on a large seemingly trivial during the course
scale, enabling military of the war.
Commanders to detect One of the most fascinating
D enemy locations and inclusions in the book is a
intentions. Many of those photos double-page, German panoramic
are now being revealed for the photograph taken of Potijze-
fi rst time in this book, providing a Ypres-De Klijte after the Spring
valuable source of information for Offensive of 1918. Incorporating
archaeologists, historians a dotted line to chronicle the
and landscape researchers. movement of Kaiser Wilhelm’s
The pictures, chosen from army, it demonstrates the sheer
a database containing more number of miles traversed by
than 20,500 images, come each side in the confl ict.
complete with information on Helpfully, the photographs are
the battle that occurred in that also presented in chronological
particular area, along with (in some order, enabling us to better
cases) a traced map of each understand how the war developed
army’s positions, which can be

placed over the photographic Many of these photos are being revealed for the rst
image to provide context.
There are also smaller time, providing a valuable source of information for
photographic excerpts detailing
buildings and structures that were archaeologists, historians and landscape researchers
in some way connected to that
particular story. In one example, and how areas of land were researched historical information, angle on the war (literally) with
we see a micro-dot that we’re conquered by each side. The Great War Seen From The Air: which to reinforce your military
told is a church destroyed during With fantastic picture quality In Flanders Fields 1914-1918 is a knowledge, but also because
the Battle of the Yser. There’s throughout, as well as inspirational weighty and worthy book to have in it provides a fascinating record
a certain poignancy in not being quotes from the chief protagonists your collection – not just because of the technology of the day and
able to see the damage – in a and an abundance of well- it provides an awe-inspiring new how it was exploited. Chris Short

GARETH ENNIS BLACK VORTEX
PRESENTS Jim Hooper Helion and Co RRP £35
BATTLE CLASSICS ★★★★★

Garth Ennis Titan Books RRP £19.99 Going about our everyday lives,
★★★★★ it’s sometimes easy to forget that
in some parts of the planet, war is
Published weekly between 1975 a way of life.
and 1988, Battle remains one of Which is precisely why renowned
the most infl uential comics of all US photojournalist and author Jim murder and destruction are no
time. This book, compiled by fan Hooper has spent the past three longer a big deal; they’re just
Gareth Ennis – himself a comic decades in some of the poorest another day at the offi ce.
writer – brings together some countries of the Third World, I can’t help feeling that a little
of the author’s favourite stories recording the crises that have more description and anecdote
from the publication’s heyday. ravaged the spirit and innocence would have given the book
His choices include “HMS of the native people. With the greater longevity. With just small
Nightshade”, where young British critically acclaimed books Koevoet! accounts of his experience within
sailors face the extreme, cold and A Hundred Feet Over Hell each of the battle zones, Hooper
terrors of the Atlantic, and “The already under his belt – which has clearly decided to let the
General Dies At Dawn”, which sees chronicled the South African Bush pictures do the talking. Which
Otto von Margen – one of Hitler’s WIN! A copy of Garth Ennis War and his brother’s service as a is all well and good (this is
Generals – recounting his memoirs Presents Battle Classics pilot in Vietnam respectively – he photojournalism, after all), but
while awaiting his appointment ventured into the heart of Africa his work – at times blurry, at
with the fi ring squad. Also included History Of War has two copies of to play a fl y on the wall of four of times a little mundane – doesn’t
are three short stories, including this fantastic book to give away. the continent’s deadliest confl icts: always warrant a second visit.
the renowned “Private Loser”. To stand a chance of winning Namibia/Koevoet; Angola/Unita; That said, in several cases,
This collection serves as a one, simply answer the following Sierra Leone and Sudan/the SPLA. Black Vortex: One Man’s Journey
perfect introduction to a new question correctly: Almost as horrifi c as the Into Africa’s Wars succeeds in
generation of a legendary magazine In what year did the First photographs of mangled bodies, opening the eyes and chilling the
that held the interests of so many QWorld War begin? airborne missiles and fl aming soul to the very bones. Credit
children and adults decades ago. Send answers to: History Of War, mortar carriages is the sheer must be given to Hooper’s courage
With huge, glossy pages and Anthem Publishing Ltd, Suite 6, matter-of-factness displayed by and conviction in carrying out
hundreds of high-quality, black- Piccadilly House, London Road, the live observers to each incident: his art, and this latest work
Bath BA1 6PL, or email historyofwar
and-white depictions of war, it will @anthem-publishing.com for these guys, many of whom will doubtless inspire the next
appeal to military buffs and lovers have been thrust headlong into generation of reportage students.
of beautiful artwork alike. Chris Short military service as children, Paul Dimery
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