Author: Ken Delve Publisher: Pen and Sword ISBN: 1844156133 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 401
Book Description
Beretter om den historiske udvikling inden for det britiske flyvevåbens "Fighter Command" gennem perioden 1936-1968, og beskriver bl.a. doktriner, organisation, opgaver, materiel og personel.
Author: Chris Ashworth Publisher: Haynes Publications ISBN: 9781852603083 Category : World War, 1939-1945 Languages : en Pages : 256
Book Description
The role of RAF Bomber Command in the Allies' fight against Hitler's 'Fortress Europe' is still the subject of much controversy. Yet, whatever one's view of the campaign as a whole, nobody can question the immense courage and bravery of the aircrews who risked their lives, day after day, night after night. As history recalls, more than 55,000 men made the ultimate sacrifice during the fight for freedom. Bomber Command was officially formed in 1936, but as the 1930s gave way to the 1940s, it soon became clear that the Command could not match the might of a resurgent Germany on the march. The early years of the Second World War highlighted Bomber Command's inadequacies, but gradually the tide was turned. Vast aerial armadas of bombers took the fight to Hitler while increased accuracy, larger weapons and more effective tactics were developed which enabled RAF Bomber Command, in conjunction with the US 8th Air Force, to pound the heartland of Germany into final submission. Peacetime brought the inevitable cutbacks and a proud force was whittled down to a shadow of its former self. However, re-equipment with a potent force of V-bombers meant that Bomber Command was able to play a key role in the 'Cold War', and when the Command was disbanded in 1968 its supporters could rightly claim that it had been a major contributor to maintaining the peace. Here, for the first time, the story of Bomber Command is told from start to finish. Meticulous research by aviation historian Chris Ashworth offers a unique insight into the history of a force that was at the heart of the RAF's fighting prowess for some three decades.
Author: Ken Delve Publisher: Pen and Sword ISBN: 1844151832 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 311
Book Description
This is a comprehensive reference to the structure, operation, aircraft and men of Bomber Command from its formation on 1936 to 1968 when it became part of Strike Command. It includes descriptions of many notable bombing raids, the many types of aircraft used, weapons and airfields. The five main sections of the book include a general historical introduction and overview, operations, operational groups, aircrew training and technical details of each aircraft type. Lengthy Annexes cover personnel. the squadrons in World War II, accuracy of attacks, orders of battle for each wartime year, maps of airfields locations, tonnage of bombs dropped and nuclear weapons carried in the post-war years.
Author: Ron Mackay Publisher: Fonthill Media ISBN: Category : History Languages : en Pages : 593
Book Description
Royal Air Force Fighter Command's brief was to provide an effective aerial barrier to any attempt at domination of British skies. The aircraft and technical resources on hand between 1936 and WWII's initiation were thankfully improved to a level that was barely sufficient to withstand the hitherto unchallengeable Luftwaffe's advance across Western Europe. Between 1940 and 1942 the Command generally found itself on the back-foot in terms of overall success. The introduction of aircraft designs that would change the situation, however costly, in its ultimate favour, featured prominently from the mid-point of WWII. The Luftwaffe found itself being challenged and regularly bested 'round the clock'; by the advent of D-Day the Command's efforts had materially contributed to the Allied on-surge that had placed its adversary on a permanent downward spiral towards total extinction.
Author: T.C.G. James Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 1135273421 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 172
Book Description
The first of two volumes of the classified Air Historical Branch study of Fighter Command and the Air Defence of the United Kingdom. It covers pre-war expansion of the Command, the creation of the first integrated air defence system, and an account of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain.
Author: Ron Mackay Publisher: Fonthill Media ISBN: Category : History Languages : en Pages : 716
Book Description
-> Historically rich in detail with previously unpublished photographs from private archives -> Researched and written by an aviation and military historian renowned author -> Essential for military/historians, modellers, flight-sim enthusiasts (War Thunder, IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles and DCS) and those interested in the complexities of aircraft design and production during the Second World War ‘They sowed the wind and now they are going to reap the whirlwind.’ Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris The concept of an aerial campaign on a nation’s industrial and military might was advocated by Britain before the start of the First World War; however, a stringent post-war economy ensured that the creation of Bomber Command in 1936 witnessed a daunting disparity between the aim of striking at an adversary’s ability to sustain itself and the means to do so. From 1939 to 1942, Bomber Command was very weak in terms of human and material losses. The navigational means with which to accurately guide bombers to targets was almost completely lacking while the enemy defensive network inflicted serious casualties. Consequently, the punishment handed out was minimal. The resurgence of Bomber Command’s fortunes coincided with the appointment of Sir Arthur Harris. The advent of four-engine designs such as the Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax ensured that a greatly increased bomb tonnage could be delivered. Also, electronic aids such as Gee, Oboe and H2S simplified the task in finding targets. Therefore, by 1944-1945, the RAF’s bombers pulverised Hitler’s Third Reich. Although flak and night-fighters took a heavy toll on the bombers, the RAF’s nocturnal offensive in conjunction with the USAAF’s daylight assaults crippled Germany’s ability to fight back.
Author: Mark Barber Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing ISBN: 1849087806 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 66
Book Description
The recent 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, combined with the threat of significant cuts to the current RAF, have highlighted the importance of Fighter Command in the early days of World War II once more. The role of the “few”, as described by Churchill, during the Battle of Britain has been the subject of much mythologizing both at the time and in the years since. This title will put Fighter Command in context; describing the lack of funding and attention which it received during the interwar period, until it was almost too late. The myth of the fighter pilot will be humanized, with first-hand accounts quoted which put nervous but brave human beings from all walks of life in the cockpit. Although the Battle of Britain may not have in itself been the decisive encounter that it has historically been portrayed as, the moral victory won by the RAF, the victory that proved that Germany could be defeated, was just as important as a military-strategic victory.