The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International — Winter 2019, features photographs of Sopwith Pups on the front cover, rear cover, and rear inside cover. These pictures all support the John Grech article on 2^nd Lt. Patrick Alva O’Brien. The front cover photograph is of POW Lt. S.S. Hume behind a downed Sopwith Pup, A7340, of 66 Squadron that was lost in action on May 27, 1917.

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.

Stewart Taylor kicks off this issue with a nice 12-page biography of Canadian 2^nd Lt. Arthur Gladstone Walwyn. Very few RFC pilots survived the war that flew all three Moranes, the Parasol, the BB Biplane, and the ‘Bullet’, and as such, that makes this tale unique. Included are twenty-eight photographs of this fighter pilot and other pilots of 3 Squadron RFC. Based on in-person interviews in 1965, this tale is quite interesting! Alex Revell is up next with an eight-page perspective on James McCudden’s final flight. James McCudden was in London and was eager to return to the front lines to exceed the number of aerial victories claimed by Manfred von Ricthofen. Alex Revell includes witness accounts and provides an in-depth analysis of the crash. Included are 13 photographs and a map plotting his final flight.

Mike Meech offers up a 21-page feature on pre-war British communication experiments and practice. Utilizing contemporary reports and letters, Mike Meech provides an interesting review of the different signaling devices that were used prior to entry into WWI. A total of 37 photographs, drawings, and illustrations are utilized to assist this feature. Norman Franks contributes a four-page biography of Captain John Todd in “The Scottish Camel Ace”. Todd was credited with 18 victories before becoming a flight instructor to finish out the war. Norman Franks follows his post-war career as a medical missionary in Africa up to his passing in 1980.

John Grech is up next with a seven-page article on American Patrick O’Brien. Joining the Aviation Section of the US Army Signal Corps in 1915, Patrick had hoped to see action against Pancho Villa. After seeing no action with Pershing’s pursuit of Pancho Villa, Patrick crossed into Canada to join the RFC. Posted to 66 Squadron in France, Patrick O’Brien was shot down behind enemy lines and became a POW. Complete with 12 photographs, including his German interrogation report, John Grech follows Patrick O’Brien past his death in 1920. A formal dedication and ceremony of his unmarked grave site was completed in 2007 where he now has a fitting marker over his grave. Paul R. Hare provides another detailed history of a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2a, in this case BE2a 272. Supported with twelve photographs, this four-page tale brings to light many of those who interacted with this aircraft.

Mike O’Connor and Ray Vann complete their previous series of 26 Sqn RFC in East Africa with part 3. This eight pager features four appendices and 28 photographs. John Benjamin presents a four-page article on the history of the Shuttleworth Collection’s SE5a F904.

Mick Davis’ Logbook department focuses on SPAD pilot training supported by six photographs. Mick Davis’s Fabric consists of two letters / replies to the editor. Obituaries of Air Marshal Sir Frederick Sowrey and Chas Schaedel follow. The Bookshelf section is a review of WWI aviation-specific books and magazines with this issue totaling twenty.

Topics:

• Editorial by Mick Davis
• Morane Maverick – 2Lt Arthur Gladstone Walwyn 3 Squadron RFC by Stewart Taylor [Page 50-253]
• James McCudden VC: His Last Flight by Alex Revell [Page 50-256]
• Communication and Aircraft: The British Military Experience by Mike Meech [Page 50-265]
• The Scottish Camel Ace: Captain John Todd MC DFC by Norman Franks [Page 50-286]
• Gone But Not Forgotten: 2^nd Lt. Patrick Alva O’Brien MC, 66 Squadron RFC – by John Grech [Page 50-290]
• Lost Without Trace of BE2a 272 by Paul Hare [Page 50-297]
• 26 Sqn RFC in East Africa – Part 3 by Mike O’Connor and Ray Vann
• SE5a F904 – A Short History by John Benjamin [Page 50-310]
• RFC Monthly Safety Report, December 1917, extracted from a Daedalian Foundation Newsletter
• Logbook compiled by Mick Davis
• Fabric compiled by Mick Davis
• Obituaries
• Bookshelf

This is another excellent issue from Cross & Cockade and I continue to be impressed with the quality of the articles, both from a research perspective and readability. The period pictures, maps, and drawings in this journal come off looking great thanks to their printing on the journal's glossy paper. 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!