IsraDecal

101 First Fighter Squadron Isreali Air Force book

Written by Shlomo Aloni

 from IsraDecal

Review by Steve Bamford on Sept 20 2007

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'About 1600hrs Avidan (Givati Brigade CO) came to the field and panicked, now or never: "The whole Egyptian army is 10km awat, they (the Givati Brigade) blow up the bridge, there is nobody between them (the Egyptians) an Tel Aviv and you got to fly now".  So the whole beautiful plan of knocking-out the Egyptian air force at dawn is gone.  

I was afraid to take the airplanes out of the hanger... we started the engines in the hanger.  I wanted to keep surprise so I stayed low, real low.  I did two circuits and got the other three guys to join up with me and as they joined I headed towards the sea and climbed.  I was hoping to go up to about 7,000-8,000 feet but faced two problems:  I did not know my way...Ishdad was a little village with a little curve in the road and a bridge and my radio did not work.  Luckily Modi Alon realized (that Lenart was lost and) he pointed (at the right direction)...  Just as he pointed, we were just making the turn over the sea, I looked down and I saw the village, I could not miss it, there were about 800 vehicles and about 10,000 troops, the whole Egyptian army on it's way to Tel Aviv... So I went down ... The emotional spiritual feelings on looking back and seeing the whole Israeli air force, three planes and me, the star of David, pushing down on earth was the most exciting, emotional spritual experience of my life.  Then the place exploded, I felt like 10,000 Egyptians were shooting at me.   --  Lou Lenart  

And so begins the Israeli Air Force in late May 1948.  You don't get more humble beginnings than that and 48 hours later only one single aircraft remained of the original four S-199s.  

This 224 page hardcover book from IsraDecal gives a detailed account of the 101 Squadron's history from the first ground attack mission and the first air S-199 combat mission in 1948 all the way to the present day with the Barak in 2007.  This books includes almost 600 black and white photographs and 87 colour photos.

The chapters include the following:

  • Chapter 1  Fighting for Israel's survival  May 1948 - July 1948
  • Chapter 2  Spitfire Supreme   July 1948 - January 1949 
  • Chapter 3  Mustang   1949 - 1956 
  • Chapter 4  Mach 1 Mystere   1956 - 1961
  • Chapter 5  Mach 2 Mirage   1962 - 1967    
  • Chapter 6  Six Day War   Jnue 1967
  • Chapter 7  Delta Dominance   1967 - 1970 
  • Chapter 8  Enter the Nesher   1971 - 1975 
  • Chapter 9  Kfir   1975 - 1987
  • Chapter 10  Barak   1987 - 2007
  • Color Profiles
  • Appendix
  • Glossary of terms  

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Below is a very brif overview of each chapter, you must appreciate the fact this book is rich in detail with names and first hand accounts of a high number of missions.  The detail is what makes this book the valuable treasure of 101 Squadron history and combat stories.

Chapter 1  Fighting for Israel's survival  May 1948 - July 1948

This chapter includes the story of the acquistion of the first aircraft and first hand accounts of the initial battles of this fledging airforce using the very poor S-199.  The Israeli Air Forces were initially using inferior aircraft and the outcome of their early missions was far from 100% successful.  

Chapter 2  Spitfire Supreme   July 1948 - January 1949 

To offset the poor performance of the S-199, the Isreali's bought Spitfires from Czechoslovakia to help overcome the Egypitian Spitfire's air superiority over the small numbers of S-199s.  Eventually they acquired Spitfire parts from the RAF junkyards and crashed Egyptian Spitfires to piece together more Spitfires to increase their Sptifire force.  The Czechoslovakian Spitfires came later with much effort and the story of the Spitfires includes first hand accounts of the Spitfire ferry flights from Czechoslovakia including the unsuccessful attempt to refuel two Spitfires in Greece that ran out of fuel.  This chapter also includes the arrival of the first Mustangs and positive accounts of their early missions as well as Israeli accounts of encounters with Italian made aircraft flown by the Egyptians.  The Israelis also had successful combat encounters against the RAF and that is detailed in this chapter including first hand combat accounts from the pilots themselves during the Isreali War of Independence.    

Chapter 3  Mustang   1949 - 1956 

This chapter begins telling the tale of the transition from foreign pilots in the Israeli Air Force to Israeli  pilots trained by the Israelis.  This transition would lead to Isreali being defended by a true Israeli Air Force.  The establishment of Israeli control of their air space and the use of Mosquito for reconnaissance missions and the introduction of the Meteor aircraft.  In 1953 101 Squadron switched to the secondary role of a fighter/bomber unit fom a fighter role.  

Chapter 4  Mach 1 Mystere   1956 - 1961

In 1956, 101 Squadron began to transition from their P-51s to the Mystere IV.  The ferry flights of the new Mystere IVA aircraft is told in detail in this chapter as well as the training of pilots on the Mystere.  Also with Egypt acquiring the MiG-15 the Israelis had to match this Egyptian aircraft strength.  The formation of the Anglo/French/Israeli alliance during the Suez Crisis with the hope of the overthrow of the anti-western Egyptian government is covered in this chapter.  The encounters between the Egypitian and IDF forces on the ground and in the air is documented in detail in this chapter....telling the story from the Israeli point of view.  Clashes between the Egyptian Vampires, Mig-15's and even a MiG-17 against the Israeli  Mysteres during the Sinai campaign is covered in great detail in this chapter.

 

Chapter 5  Mach 2 Mirage   1962 - 1967 

In November 1961, 101 Squadron traded in their Mystere aircraft for the Mirage.  This chapter details the introduction of the Mirage and the challenges faced by pilots in this new aircraft.  The Mirage suffered engine problems and the loss of each of the 4 Israeli Mirages due to engine failure is covered in fine detail.  Mystere weapons system shortcomings which initially resulted in a 1.9% success rate although these problems were overcome with classic Israeli innovation.  On July 14 1966, 101 Squadron achieved it's first kill in the Mirage and this story is told in careful first hand detail including the fact the successful Mirage fired exactly "101" rounds of ammunition to achieve the kill.  The defection of the Iraqi MiG-21 is covered in this chapter as well as it's evaluation process and it's use to train Israeli pilots to shoot down the MiG-21.  This lead to air battles over the Golan Heights which resulted in the shooting down of Syrian MiG-21s which is also covered in great detail with first hand accounts in this chapter.   

Chapter 6  Six Day War   June 1967

This chapter coveres the events leading up to the Six Day War and the Israeli tactics that were in place to cover different war scenarios.   The plan was a pre-emptive strike to quickly give Israel air superiority.  101 Squadron was tasked with bombing runways and strafing aircraft on the ground that began with early morning strikes which all include first hand accounts of the pilots that flew the missions.  This chapter includes many photos including gun camera photos and day by day accounts of the unfolding of the Six Day war and the exploits of 101 Squadron with in the larger story of this war.  This chapter is packed with first hand accounts by the pilots that flew the air to ground and air to air  missions. 

Chapter 7  Delta Dominance   1967 - 1970 

Aftert the Six Day War Israel moved into the a period of ongoing air combat with Egypt and 101 Squadron was in the thick of it with their planes in the Sinai during the Attrition War which lasted years.  Within this war was many smaller battles and operations as both sides attempted to gain air superiority.  The Egyptians were improving the air defences with Soviet help and 101 Squadron had switched to the glamourous air to air combat role.  This chapter details all the battles and includes first hand accounts from 101 Squadron pilots.  During this time period many 101 Squadron pilots became aces and this is carefully detailed in this chapter....pilot by pilot with some first hand accounts. 

Chapter 8  Enter the Nesher   1971 - 1975 

101 Squadron had achieved a 13:1 kill to loss ratio which was very impressive.  101 Squadron acquired some reconnaissance aircraft during aircraft reassignment from other squadrons.  The Nesher was introoduced to the Israeli Air Force.  The 1972 Olymipcs lead to Israeli missions against PLO targets in Lebanon and Syria.  The Yom Kippur War is covered in this chapter with accounts of the air battles and missions flown by 101 Squadron pilots against the Egyptians and Syrians.  The Yom Kippur War  is covered day by day...mission by mission it seems.

Chapter 9  Kfir   1975 - 1987

The home grown Israeli Aircraft Industries Kfir was introduced through 101 Squadron.  The Kfir introduction period was not without problems and these problems are highlighted in detail in this chapter.  The improved Kfir C2 and it cannards improved the agility of this new aircraft.  The deteriorting situation over Lebanon in the late '70's and the increased tension is discussed in this chapter with a heavy focus on the activities of 101 Squadron.

Chapter 10  Barak   1987 - 2007

After 25 years flying Delta wing aircraft, 101 Squadron changed to the F-16D Barak (Lightning).  The first operational mission was in Sept 1988.  101 Squadron was busy during the Gulf War flying CAP to keep Israel safe from possible Iraqi aircraft.  

Color Profiles

There are color profiles for;

  • two S-199s
  • two Spitfires
  • two P-511 Mustang
  • two Mystere's
  • one Siper Mystere
  • two Shahak
  • one Nesher
  • two Kfirs
  • three 2 seat F-16s
  • two single seat F-16s

This is followed up with the following tables: 

  • Squadron 101 jet age Air to Air kill credits 1956-1999
  • Squadron 101 combat losses and majotr accidents 1948-1995

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This is not a book detailing the history of the Israeli air force....as that would be too big of a topic to do justice.  This is a book that gives exceptionally detailed history on the exploits of 101 Squadron of the Israeli Air Foce.  This history contained in this book includes the names of pilots and commanders and many many first hand accounts of their combat stories.  You'll also read diary entries from the top Isreli commanders and leaders.  he level of detailed research contained in this book all put togehter in a very well laid out story is amazing.  If you have an interest in the Israeli air force, then this book is a must for your library.  Once I started reading it and enjoying all the photos and endless stories and historical information to tie it all together, it became impossible to put the book down until had read it cover to cover.  This books touches on all major events, but never looses focus of the fact this is a book about the actions and exploits of 101 Squadron.

As an added bonus the foreward is written by Hertzel Bodinger (101 Squadron commabnder from Oct 1973 to November 1976). 

Steve

I would like to thank IsraDecal for providing me with this review sample.

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Photos and text © by Steve Bamford