The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914 - Vol.1, by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)

The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)

In 1914 the Austro-Hungarian air force went to world war. The last day of peace in Europe and the world was Tuesday, 28 July 1914. Then the planes left their hangars and became a “fifth arm”, a new weapon of war in the hands of pilots while these became “the masters of the air”. As of June 1914, 30% of the Austro-Hungarian Air Force -or Kaiserliche und Königliche (K.u.K.) Luftschifferabteilung- crews were Germans, 25% Hungarians, 20% Czechs, the remaining 25% consisted of citizens of other states, like Poland.

The extensiveness of war operations in Europe in 1914 caused that several theatres of war activities were created at that time. For obvious reasons, the western theatre of war remains the best known, thoroughly analyzed and described. The view on the unique contribution of the newly invented aviation to the events in this theatre still dominates. In its shadow remains Eastern European and - almost completely uncovered and forgotten in historiography - the Balkan theatre of war and its Adriatic sector. Even significant combat operations and episodes in this region for Western Europe still remain completely unfamiliar. The attention has been focused on the air war over the Western Front for years.

Although interesting, full of dangerous actions and at the same time important achievements, the role of aviation on the Eastern Front is not exhibited in the studies and research of authors dealing with the issue of war operations in the East European theatre of the Great War; it can even be argued that it is not usually noticed at all in both older and recent references on the subject. It would not be erroneous to say that the subject was taken up by Professor, Senior Doctor Lecturer Andrzej OLEJKO is almost completely undiscovered, and at the same time developmental, and is certainly thoroughly innovative and needed. Having undertaken such an extensive research in this area was justified by a very small amount of references and analytical studies devoted to this issue.

This new book from Kagero (hardcover, 154 pages) comprises two main Chapters: Chapter 1 is about the birth of Austro-Hungarian Air force, difficult beginnings, the emergence and development of military aviation until 1914, over the Adriatic and the rise of naval aviation of Austro-Hungarian Navy to 1914.

Chapter 2 is about the order of battle of military aviation of Austro-Hungary in 1914, mobilization, Allies & Enemies, Air Forces of Germany, Russia and Serbia.

The book includes many colour and black/white pictures, cards & paintings of the late 18th century, early aerostats, first military aeroplanes over Europe like Taube, balloons, Lohner flying boats, Albatros B.II, Aviatik, etc.

As Austria-Hungary was multinational, this book will appeal to many readers interested in WW1 history of air forces and their respective power. The author, a well known Polish professor and historian has done extensive research to produce this interesting study. Highly recommended!

You can see more about this book here and order it here.

The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)The Hapsburgs’ Wings 1914, Vol.1 by Andrzej Olejko (Kagero 2018)