The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Winter 2016, features a tinted photograph of a winter scene with FK3 B9547 and other machines of 15 TS at Spittlegate. The rear cover features color profiles by Arvo@arvoart.com of four 45 Squadron Camels. If you check out the web site link above, you can get additional sample pics of the current issue.

Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. They also provide a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front.

This issue kicks off with Mike Kelsey’s deep dive into the Macedonian air war by focusing on Hauptmann Georg Heydemarck’s book titled War Flying in Macedonia and teasing out additional information by checking against other available sources. RFC pilot, Captain Franklin Geoffrey Saunders combat reports are utilized to great effect towards this goal. Paul Leaman chimes in with his conclusion in his series of Seaplanes with an article on the American built flying boat, Benoist Type C. Now why is an American flying boat included in a book on German seaplanes? You will have to get this issue for that answer!

J.B.E. Hale introduces us to an unfortunate accident in June 1917 where Samuel Webster was killed by a Sopwith Camel pilot at No. 6 Squadron’s Naval Aerodrome. Philip Jarrett provides a nice feature article on 1916 era civilian flight training by focusing in on pilot Valentine George Austen account, including parts of his diary. Pietro Lando has the next article with something completely different: an account of the Italian Navy during WWI and their instrumental role in protecting the city of Venice. Keeping with the Italian theme, Stewart K. Taylor’s feature article on 45 Squadron delves into the RAF experience on the Italian front. Based on Captain Mansell Richard James diary, it provides a fascinating perspective on the daily activities of 45 Squadron.

Mick Davis is up next with the status of the RFC in December 2016, one-hundred years ago. The Bookshelf section is a review of WWI aviation specific books and magazines with this issue totaling fifteen.

Topics:

• Editorial by Mick Davis
• Hauptmann Heydemarck & Captain Saunders by Mike Kelsey
• Atlas of German and Foreign Seaplanes – The Benoist Type C Flying Boat by Paul Leaman
• Killed By A Camel: The Unfortunate End of Driver Samuel Webster ASC by J.B.E. Hale
• Civilian Flying Training In 1916: The Experience of Valentine George Auste by Philip Jarrett
• The Eyes Of Venice: The Italian Navy over the Northern Adriatic during the Great War by Pietro Lando
• Camel Captivation: Captain Mansell Richard James, 45 Squadron by Stewart K. Taylor
• Logbook: 100 Years Ago – The RFC in the UK December 1916 by Mick Davis
• Fabric: Queries and Feedback by Mick Davis
• Bookshelf

It’s another great issue from Cross & Cockade and I’m continued to be impressed with the quality. If you are into early / WWI aviation; this journal is an incredible source of information that will have you on the edge of your seat for the next issue. My thanks to Cross & Cockade International and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great issue.

Highly recommended!