Beschreibung:

PALESTINE – T. FITZWILLIAM, Royal Air Force. Two photograph albums. Palestine and Transjordan: 1930-1933. Large and numerous photographs of the RAF presence in the Middle East in the 1930s. The albums effectively show two sides of the RAF's responsibilities in the Middle East at that time. One is air cover, with numerous photographs of Fairey Gordons, Bristol Fighters, Fairey III Fs, Westland Wapitis ('Wapatis'), King Feisal's squadron of DH.60 Moths, and DH.9As. There are images of bombs being loaded onto the bombers as part of Trenchard's theory of air power, used to suppress tribal insurrection in the colonies. The RAF also had a land-based role, providing military security using armoured cars. There are many images of the armoured car squadrons in camp, on parade and on patrol. Both albums cover an extensive geographical area, with images of Ramleh airbase and Jerusalem in Palestine, and Maan and Amman in Transjordan. Other interesting photographs include a shot of King Abdullah I of Transjordan, and ten images of the Nebi Musa festival which show large crowds, a heavy Palestine Police presence, both mounted and on foot, cameramen filming the scene, and a large crowd of Jewish onlookers. 1. 101 original photographs (most 160 x 214 or 55 x 82mm, with a few other variant sizes) mounted on 24 leaves, oblong octavo (185 x 245mm). Original cloth; 2. 108 original photographs and 9 commercial photographic postcards (most 160 x 214 or 55 x 82mm, with a few other variant sizes) mounted on 21 leaves, oblong octavo (185 x 245mm). Original cloth (fore-edge of upper board crudely repaired).