Air Power and the Arab World 1909-1955 Volume 12: The First Arab-Israeli War 1 September 1948 - 15 March 1949

Volume 12 of the Air Power and the Arab World 1909–1955 mini-series continues the detailed examination of the first Arab-Israeli War, focusing on the critical period between 12 July and 14 October 1948 — from the final days of the ‘Ten Days’ fighting through the Second UN Truce.

This was a decisive and often misunderstood phase of the conflict. While international diplomacy attempted to impose restraint, military operations continued in the air and on the ground. Arab air forces — particularly the Royal Egyptian Air Force — maintained sustained combat operations, conducting reconnaissance, interdiction, and close support missions across multiple fronts. Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force expanded rapidly in strength and capability, preparing for the decisive offensives that would follow.

Drawing upon previously unpublished official military documentation, including the Operational Diary of the REAF’s Tactical Air Force based at al-Arish, this volume reconstructs day-to-day events with exceptional precision. It examines not only aerial combat, but also the interaction between air power, ground manoeuvre, and political decision-making during a fragile and frequently violated truce.

As with earlier volumes in the series, the narrative challenges long-standing assumptions about the effectiveness of Arab air operations. It places the actions of Egyptian, Iraqi, Syrian and Israeli forces within their full operational context, revealing a far more complex and dynamic air war than is commonly portrayed.

Air Power and the Arab World Volume 12 is illustrated with a rich collection of original period photographs — many previously unpublished — together with specially commissioned colour artwork and detailed maps.