James Ira Thomas "Taffy" Jones

I have looked at the biography of Jones on this site, but I need a little bit more information. What sort of a person was he, what kind of a pilot was he, what medals was he awarded? What became of Jones after the war? Can somebody supply with some information?

Jones was a short-statured welshman of a fiery temperment who had stern feelings about cowardice, and strong convictions about his fellow pilots. Your best bet is to read his three books; 'King of the Air Fighters- about Mannock, 'An Air Fighter's Scrapbook' and the best 'Tiger Squadron'- about RFC/RAF 74 sqdn. An analysis of his victoies and a thumbnail bio are in 'Above the Trenches' (grub street, which I think is still in print. You may wish to visit the RAF website for what they have. There have been articles written in, lets see- 'Cross & Cockade' or 'Over the Front' I can't remember which was more recent. But you could probably find out at the OVER THE FRONT website by the Society of WW1 aviation historians (which has a question & answer mode) Jones' books are out of print to my knowledge- OH, by the way, Jones was the writer of the RAF official history 'The War in the Air' which ran (I think) to ten volumes(?). I'll know soon enough- it's back in print through Air Britian pubs, and I've ordered.
Any other old-timers with info to fill in the blanks? please jump in....

[Ira_Silverman]

Hi Norm:

Taffy did write the first 3 books you mentioned. He did not write the official history, "The War in the Air." That was a different Jones, H.A., who also wrote "Over the Balkans & South Russia," a history of 47 Squadron.

Just trying to keep up with the Joneses <G>!

VBR,

Ira

[Vigilant]

"War in the Air" is in six volumes with two volumes of maps (don't know if they are reproduced in the new print run) and a volume of appendices. A great source and nicely written too.

My impression from reading "King of Air Fighters" was that Ira Jones wouldn't have been out of place in contemporary Germany. His views on the 'modern hero' have a somewhat fascist overtone IMO.

Vigilant

To describe Taffy Jones as a sort of fascist would I am sure have hurt him terribly.
He did serve in W.W.2.
I would agree that he was a little naive but to mistake patriotism and a belief in "King and Country" for fascism does him an injustice.
He does however say that he believes the British made the best airfighters which from statistical evidence is palpably not true.
My main purpose in posting this is that it seems to me that a biography on Jones would be worthwhile. In under 9 months he destroyed over 40 planes. He never lost a pilot in any patrol that he le
d. He fought in Russia. Served in the twenties in the Middle-East.
Helped purchase land to provide aerodromes in the late thirties.
He also played the piano. How well I don't know but he would have been musical because he was Welsh.
VBR
Peter S