Unarmed into Battle Story of Air Observation 1794-1986

This is the story of unarmed air observers from 1794 to 1986 and how they carried out tasks from unarmed aerial platforms. Commencing, from the balloon era which ended in 1918, it provides actual battle accounts in which, light aircraft, in combination with balloons, became the most effective means of air observation in the vicinity of the forward area during World War 1. The contribution of air observers to the success of battles in various campaigns during World War 11 has been described along, with the Air Observation Pilots in the Indian Army, who lived up to the tradition of their pioneers in the battles fought in the subcontinent.