Between the Covers

Hardcover. Octavo. Measuring 5½" x 8½". 290pp. Green cloth. The text block separated from the binding for use as a manuscript with notes and changes by the author for a revised version, thus good only.

A purposely broken copy of *Days on the Wing* by Baron Coppens de Houthulst, also known as Willy Coppens, which he used to prepare the manuscript for the 1970 reissue of the book entitled *Flying in Flanders*. Coppens was one of Belgium’s top flying aces during World War I “credited with 37 confirmed victories and six probables.” Coppens originally wrote *Days on the Wing* in 1931 as a memoir of his service in World War I. In the late 1960s he reworked the piece and it was eventually reissued as *Flying in Flanders* in 1970. Coppens used this copy of *Days on the Wing* to write extensive notes for the new edition. The book also includes typed and photocopied notes and rewrites throughout the manuscript. Notes are featured in the original book with additions, word changes, and crossed out footnotes, among other changes. Notes throughout the manuscript read “replace this paragraph,” “no italics,” and other notes to clean up the narrative. Also included is a Typed Note Signed by Coppens.

Willy Omer François Jean baron Coppens de Houthulst was a Belgian “flying ace" and “balloon buster” during World War I. According to Coppens, 40 Belgians including Coppens went to England to learn to fly at their own expense after Germany invaded Belgium in 1914. Coppens flew his first combat mission on May 1, 1917 in a “Sopwith 1½ Strutter two seater.” After numerous aerial victories, Coppen’s final mission resulted in a crash where his leg was amputated. Following the war Coppen was knighted for his wartime service where he became Willy Omer François Jean baron Coppens de Houthulst. During World War II he worked with resistance movements in Switzerland.

An interesting collection of revisions for the memoir of a Belgian flying ace in World War I.

Item #446242