AIR ROUTE MANUAL
U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES
UNITED STATES TO
GREAT BRITAIN
April 20, 1943
Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence
Washington, D.C.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, Washington, 1944
A very rare original USAAF pilot's Air Route Manual, produced by US Air Staff Intelligence in April 1943. It covers the air routes from the USA to the UK, including direct routes from Newfoundland and indirect routes via Greenland or Iceland. With full details of flight paths, major airports, airfield approaches, courses, route and radio information, supplementy airfields, emergency procedures, weather, and landing grounds along the route. The manual is fully illustrated throughout with photographs and route maps. The handbook is signed on the front cover by 'E. S. Garrett', and there is also a hand-drawn map reference card, showing flight paths around Greenland and Iceland, marked 'Garrett' in a pocket at the rear. The manual was clearly used for several atlantic crossings, as routes flown and airfields visited have been marked with a pink dot, as mentioned in a note - 'Routes Flown' - on page 3.
This handbook would have been an essential item for all aircrews embarking on the long and hazardous trip from the United States to Great Britain in 1943. These handbooks were considered to be of great importance, and potential value to the enemy, and aircrew usually had to hand them in to the Operations Officer as soon as they had completed their mission.
Condition:
In very good condition. The card cover is in very good condition, with some marks and some minor wear at the edges. The binding is good and secure. The text, illustrations and maps are in very good condition.
Illustrated with photographs, fold-outs and maps
Khaki card cover with blue/red titling
Dimensions: 220mm 290mm
Pages: 122
