Expanding of their ever growing range of reference books, Osprey Publishing has announced their release of The British Fleet Air Arm in World War II . Written by Mark Barber this book contains a concise history of the British Fleet Arm during WW2 within its 64 pages. Illustrated by Mark Postlethwaite and Stephen Walsh this promises to be a fine addition to any reference library. Available now and it has a current retail price US$18.95.

This book is a concise history of the Royal Navy's air arm during World War II, from their Arctic convoys, to the Battle of Malta, and the last raids on Japan.

Interestingly, the Admiralty only had 406 operational pilots and eight carriers when war broke out in 1939, however a mere six years later there were over 3,000 operational pilots and 53 aircraft carriers patrolling the seas in every theatre of the war.

This book charts the rapid and successful evolution of the British Fleet Air Arm during the war as air power took over at the cutting edge of naval warfare.

Mark Barber's account is highly illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned full-colour artwork by Mark Postlethwaite and Stephen Walsh and offers an overview of the British Fleet Air Arm, from recruitment and training through to combat accounts.

Contents:

• Origins of the Air Branch;
  
• Recruitment & Training;
  
• Command Structure;
  
• Campaigns;
  
• Tactics;
  
• Sources;
  
• Selected bibliography.