Military, Transport, and Urban History
On 30 April 2022, I returned to presenting at conferences! It has been over two years since I last presented at a conference – pre-COVID and pre-my current role. As well as the factors mentioned above, there are lots of reasons why this was that I won’t bore you with. However, suffice to say, it... Continue Reading →
While not directly linked to my ongoing research on the Royal Australian Air Force in the era of the Vietnam War, Richardson's book is important in illustrating some of the more recent developments present in the historiography of Australia's involvement in the conflict. Thomas Richardson, Destroy and Build: Pacification in Phuoc Tuy, 1966-72 (Melbourne, VIC:... Continue Reading →
Here is another old research note that I wrote for From Balloons to Drones. It is a subject I would like to return to one day as Spaight was an interesting character and a significant air power thinker.
By Dr Ross Mahoney
In 2004, War in History published an article by Alaric Searle that posed the question ‘Was there a ‘Boney’ Fuller after the Second World War?’.[1] In short, Searle concluded that Major-General J.F.C. Fuller’s theoretical writing continued after 1945 alongside his historical writing and was not simply a ‘footnote to [his] biography.’[2] Searle’s question is an interesting one and could easily be applied to James Malony Spaight. In the inter-war years, Spaight, who was a trained jurist and, as a civilian, served in the Air Ministry, produced several notable volumes on air warfare with particular reference to issues such as its legality. As Robin Higham reflected:
No survey of British airpower theorists in the interwar years would be complete without mention of […] Spaight.[3]
Furthermore, Peter Gray noted that Spaight’s influence, due to his work within the Air Ministry, went further than just being…
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This is one of the earlier entries in Osprey's air campaign series. I find these to be a useful introduction to a topic, though the quality of content varies based on the author. Richard P. Hallion, Rolling Thunder, 1965-68: Johnson's Air War over Vietnam (Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2018). Operation Rolling Thunder was the campaign that was meant... Continue Reading →
Here is an old research note I published at From Balloons to Drones about Air Power in the Next Generation, edited by E.J. Feuchtwanger and Group Captain R.A. Mason. https://wp.me/p7Dpco-2e
Andrew Wiest, The Boys of ’67: Charlie Company’s War in Vietnam. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2012. Glossary. Maps. Bibliography. Index. 376 pp. Andrew Wiest, a Professor of History at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), was the founding director of the university’s Center for the Study of War and Society – now the Dale Center for... Continue Reading →
Richard A. Franks, The de Havilland Hornet & Sea Hornet: A Detailed Guide to the RAF & FAA’s Last Twin-engine Fighter. Bedford: Valiant Wings Publishing, 2015. Images. Colour Profiles. Appendices. Bibliography. Pbk. 146pp. The de Havilland Hornet is arguably one of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed. The development of the Hornet can be traced... Continue Reading →
Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Rosier with David Rosier, Be Bold. London: Grub Street, 2011. Hbk. 256pp. Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Rosier had a long and distinguished career in the Royal Air Force (RAF). Granted a short service commission in 1935 (p. 19), he was the last Air Officer Commander-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of RAF Fighter... Continue Reading →
Dr Ross Mahoney 