THE U.S. AIR SERVICE IN WORLD WAR I - 4 vol. set by Maurer, Maurer, ed

VOLUME I: THE FINAL REPORT AND A TACTICAL HISTORY. VOLUME II: EARLY CONCEPTS OF MILITARY AVIATION. VOLUME III: THE BATTLE OF ST. MIHIEL. VOLUME IV: POST-WAR REVIEW. --------Washington 1978 / 1979, 4 Volumes Complete. VG + CONDITION --- Vol. I - 1st ed., 1978. xiv + 448 pages . Vol. II- 1st ed., 1978. xv + 460 pages. Vol. III - 1st ed., 1979. xiv + 617 pages. Vol. IV - 1st ed., 1979. xi + 794 pages. This four-volume collection consists of a selection of documents establishing the military air component of the United States armed forces and tracing its development through the World War I experiences of the Air Service. All volumes contain editorial commentary.---------------------------------- Vol. I: The Final Report of the Chief of Air Service AEF and a Tactical HistoryThe two documents included are products of the historical program of the American Expeditionary Forces, under the leadership of Assistant Chief of Staff, Col. Edward S. Gorrell. The “Final Report ”describes the progress and achievements of the Air Service, supplemented by a collection of statistics, data and charts. The “Tactical History ”summarizes observation, pursuit, aviation, day bombardment, and balloon operations on the various fronts. 448 pp., maps, charts, illustrations, photos, index--------------------------------------------------Vol. II: Early Concepts of Military AviationThis collection of documents reflects the state of military aviation in the United States, from the purchase of the first military aircraft from the Wright Brothers through World War I. The documents reflect differences on the role of military aircraft, and the concept of air superiority in World War I. 460 pp., maps, charts, illustrations, photos, index--------------------------------------------------Vol. III: The Battle of St. MihielDocuments relating to the St. Mihiel Offensive, September 12-16, 1918. This was the first battle in France in which an American army fought under the American flag, using the largest air force committed to battle during the war. 794 pp., maps, charts, illustrations, photos, index-------------------------------------------------Vol. IV: Postwar ReviewThe first section covers "lessons learned, "a selection of reports submitted by all officers prior to their return to the United States. Information and viewpoints relate to a wide variety of subjects, such as operations, maintenance, supply, and medicine. The second section contains an assessment of damage inflicted by aerial bombardment in World War I. 617 pp., maps, charts, illustrations, photos, index