Unarmed Into Battle

This is the story of unarmed air observers from 1794 to 1986 and how they carried out tasks from unarmed aerial platforms. Commencing from the balloon era which ended in 1918, it provides actual battle accounts in which, light aircraft, in combination with balloons, became the most effective means of air observation in the vicinity of the forward area during World War I. The contribution of air observers to the success of battles in various campaigns during World War II has been described alongwith the Air Observation Pilots in the Indian Army, who lived up to the tradition of their pioneers in the battles fought in the sub-continent. This book also brings out evolution of Military Aviation leading to the creation of a separate Service, Air Force in UK and USA and subsequent creation of Naval and Army Aviation in all the modern Armies of the world.