RAF ephemera from Italy

[Frank Schofield]

Dated 18th October 1918, a pass (on plain paper) for two RAF personnel to proceed to Vicenza on duty, signed by the Major Commanding 34 Sqn RAF, a smudge unit cachet in red is present.
Possibly this was a trip to deliver and collect mail, they used the Army Post Office system, the same as France, three of the Field Post Office Distribution/Depots (FD1, FD8 & FD9) were all located there.

Very little has been written about the role of the Royal Flying Corps, later amalgamated with the Royal Naval Air Service on April 1st 1918, forming the Royal Air Force, about their service in Italy. There is a book "Offensive Patrol, the story of the RNAS, RFC and RAF in Italy 1917-18", by Norman MacMillan, published by Jerrolds in 1973, this book is very rarely seen on dealers lists.
The Royal Naval Air Service is basically covered by Dr. M.H. Gould in his book, "Royal Naval Air Service", published by F.P.H.S. in 1983.

Frank Schofield.