Cross and Cockade/ Over the Front

[leo]

I am interested in obtaining the German Language publications. Monsieur le Stork, can you tell me how I mught obtain same. Thanks in advance.

[Amy]

I subscribe to both, and I don't mind C&C being too British-biased, as this is where my interests mainly lie. In fact, considering they didn't even show up until the war was almost over, I find OTF a little American biased!

From what I understand (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong), OTF publishes articles that are sent to them rather than they dictate what nationality gets the most article coverage. This is probably the same as C&C. So, with that, there's going to be a natural tendency of C&C having more British based articles and OTF leaning towards American articles. However, I don't think OTF is that biased towards the US. There are several issues which contain only German related articles.

[Stephanie]

I don't subscribe, but when there is an issue of a publication that I want, I will order it. I live in Australia and it takes C&C three to five days to get here, and OTF about two weeks.

[vince14]

Amy,

I agree entirely with you, and I wasn't having a dig at OTF, just a little joke ...certainly OTF has much more US and German content that C&C, but that doesn't bother me too much

[MilesC]

I tried OTF for a year and found it to be all over the place, topic-wise. I guess it's hard to focus, but I would have preferred a magasine that had issues devoted to specific topics. Over the year I subscribed, I can't say any of the articles really interested me. I felt it was too pricey for what I got out of it.

For Canadian content you might try Journal of the Canadian Aviation History Society (www.cahs.com). However, most of their material is either civilian or WWII historical. Their early issues had more WWI material.

Miles Constable

[Gregvan]

Hello Miles and everyone,

Yes, most issues of "Over the Front" have had articles "all over the place, topic-wise". Remember, though, that we can only publish what we can get people to submit. There have been quite a few "theme" issues devoted to a single broad topic (die Flieger von Baden, French Aviation, the Forgotten Fronts, die Koeniglich Bayerische Fliegertruppe, etc.). Editor Stewart Taylor's final issue - God bless 'im - was even devoted mostly to Canadian aviation topics ! Ironically, we have sometimes received flak from the readers for these 'theme' issues. Most members seem to prefer an eclectic mix of articles - with a better chance they'll find something that interests them.

And, yes, I know the price may seem high. I don't like to harp on this, but remember that none of the authors or editors gets paid a dime for their hard work. That goes for the superb Cross & Cockade International, too. I would recommend subscribing to both, if possible.While you might get the occasional issue which, at first glance, seem like it has nothing for you - you never know when that issue might have just what you need for some research project you're doing years from now. My collection of C & C and OtF back issues is my most prized research source.

Just my opinion.

Greg

Try them both for the fist year, that is what i plan to do, then make your decision. A little extra info never hurt anybody.

cheers,
jbs

Another reason for the variety in Over The Front is that each issue is the responsibility of an Issue Editor, which alternates each time. If you look at the Masthead of OTF you'll see nearly 12 different Issue Editors. Each has their own interests and that ensures the wide range of subject matter from the article authors who the Issue Editor works with. From what is coming ahead, there are even more interesting articles by new authors on several continents. A lot of ground breaking stuff as well.

Aviatik

All,

Thanks for the information and suggestions. I might just sign up with both if I can part with the money.

Regards,
Vickers

Some of the upcoming article contributors are people you chat with everyday here. AND you will really like what you see from them, I guarantee it!

Aviatik