King of Airfighters: The Biography of Major "Mick" Mannock, VC, DSO MC

by Ira Jones

A penetrating study of Britain’s top fighter ace in the Great War . . .

Ira Jones’ biography of Britain’s top scoring ace of World War I has become the subject of some controversy over the last few years, most notably as it is the source of the claim of 73 “kills” for Mannock, thereby making him the number one scoring Allied Ace of the war. Later research has thrown serious doubt on this claim and indeed Mannock himself only claimed 51 kills.

Jones’s biography is nevertheless an important account, especially when seen in the context of the time in which it was first written. In particular the biography delves into the mind of Mannock, portraying the singular nature of his character and the true stress that these pioneer air fighters experienced in the last few months of the war.

Originally published in 1934 by Ivor Nicholson and Watson in London, the book has been reprinted (most recently in the 1990’s by Greenhill Books as part of it’s Vintage Aviation Library) and each time has been reproduced from the original 1930’s version of the book.

This new Casemate edition has been entirely reoriginated. Not a word has been changed, but the original (very dated) type and page layout have been reworked, as has been the format in which the book is presented, to give a beautiful new treatment to this classic of aviation literature.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction

I EARLY LIFE—PART I
II EARLY LIFE—PART II
III LEARNING TO FLY, AND FIRST TOUR OF DUTY IN FRANCE WITH NO. 40 SQUADRON
IV SECOND TOUR OF DUTY IN FRANCE WITH NOS. 74 AND 85 SQUADRONS
V KING OF AIRFIGHTERS
VI L’ENVOI

Author’s Acknowledgements

Genres: History, World War I

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1934

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 1934 biography is actually a tribute to 'Mick' Mannock, written by a fellow WW1 fighter pilot who knew him. It fairly gushes with praise for Mannock and the Royal Flying Corps, and consistently denegrates the "Hun" fighter pilots and their top aces, particularly von Richthofen. The final chapter is devoted solely to arguing that Mannock was the greatest fighter pilot of WW1, kill numbers be damned. An interesting book, not exactly history in the purest sense, but one that provides some insight into Britain's top ace as seen through the eyes of a contemporary.

[Gerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn't go far enough explaining why Mannock was, or should be, the "King of Airfighters." Author Jones hints it was tactics and leadership. Okay, the leadership can be seen (and Quentin Reynolds, in They Fought for the Sky, mentions that). I want to know more about tactics. It's an interesting enough book, giving us some glimpses into a pilot's life; but you needn't go on a determined quest to find the book.

[Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrible time that a magic window produced the bravest of men to step forward at the cost of most of their lives. What would we have done without them. The Remembrance Poppy ( Buddy Poppy)should be worn all through the month of November !!.

[Alan Holder · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of 1930's bombast

This book is more noticeable for the bombastic and jingoistic use of English. As an outline of Mannocks life it is detailed, but to the modern reader the style is over the top. As a book on Mannock there must be better about

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

British propaganda by Ira Jones to boost Mannock's victory score.

[David Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved hearing about Mannock from a squadron mate. This convincing story leads me to believe Mannock was better than Richthofen...certainly, as most of his countrymen, more aggressive.