AIR BATTLES BEFORE D-DAY

AIR BATTLES BEFORE D-DAY 
by Joseph T Molyson jr. 

The author is a retired US Air Force Colonel and in his second book he takes a broader look at the tactics and development of the Allied airforces in the lead up to D-Day.

From the opening phases of the so called 'Phoney War' to Operation Overlord and D-Day, the fight in the skies above Britain and France changed significantly. None more so than in bombing operations. 
The author looks at how both day and night operations over Europe were implemented, along with the improvement in aircraft, navigational aids and better training for aircrews.

Fighter Command also adapted after the Battle of Britain. In 1941 it was the RAF pilots who were the ones flying across the Channel and over enemy territory. Operations known as 'Rhubarbs' were planned for fighters to fly in at low level and attack German airfields, destroying as many German aircraft on the ground as possible.  
'Circuses' hoped to tempt German fighters in to the air and engage a small force of escorted bombers, where upon RAF fighters would then drop and attack from a higher level.
Both types of operations proved unpopular with RAF pilots.

As the author goes on to describe, with the United States having now entered the war officially, the arrival of the bombers and fighters of the USAAF would bring immense changes to Allied tactics. More enemy ground targets could be bombed, whilst Allied operations to invade North Africa and Europe could be planned and supported from the air.
With the aid of some fascinating official USAAF diagrams, we also learn of some of the tactics adopted by American crews.

By the time D-Day arrived, the Allied air forces had vastly improved aircraft and in far greater numbers. The bombing of ground targets had become more accurate and there was now transport aircraft to drop both men and supplies. Air supremacy had been won and would prove vital for D-Day and the final months of the war.

As a reader of WWII air forces and operations I was familiar with some of the operations covered in this book. Yet this highly readable account from a former Air Force Colonel, has added to my knowledge and proved to be a really fascinating read.

The book is available for pre-order now and will be published in June by Stackpole Books. 
I thank Stackpole for this review copy. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MITCHELL

Image
MITCHELL: Father of the Spitfire  By Paul Beaver. The majority of readers will have heard the name R.J. Mitchell and certainly his most famous aircraft design, the beloved Spitfire. Yet many, myself included, might not have known that his career began in railway engineering. This and so much more is revealed by author , Paul Beaver, who shares the full story of this remarkable man who became Supermarine's chief designer at the age of just 24. Alongside Reginald's career, we also learn how the Supermarine company was founded and then grew during the decades between the two world wars.  Mitchell's answering of Supermarine's job advertisement  would prove to be the beginning of a remarkable legacy. Importantly, o ne the author also states came about with the brains and skills of a talented group of people who have been too often overlooked. This legacy is of course far more than just the Spitfire. Many other types of aircraft especially flying boats were also d...
Read more

THE DUMMY DRONE

Image
THE DUMMY DRONE BY Rob More. Away from the Battle of Britain in the skies over the English Channel and Southern counties, or the devastating blitz bombing of London and other major cities, surely  the far North of Scotland would hardly be effected by the second world war?  Well the opposite was true. In this fabulous new book, local author and resident, Rob More reveals how the county of Caithness was a scene of great change from the coastline and beaches to the farmland, hills and villages. Not forgetting all those who lived and worked there.  With the area hosting a range of wartime installations and airfields it received many visits from the Luftwaffe. As we learn in the book, civilians and their properties would also be caught up in these raids. From the radar stations searching for enemy aircraft, to those recruited for the local Home Guard and the lesser known Auxiliary Units. Communities the length of Britain prepared for an expected German invasion. Ro...
Read more

ROYAL NAVY FORCE H: 1940-42

Image
ROYAL NAVY FORCE H 1940-42 This is book 14 in Osprey's 'Fleet' series and is written by naval historian, Angus Konstam. If you have read any second world war books on the Mediterranean war and/or Malta, then it is highly likely that Force H and its well respected commander, V.Adm. Sir James Somerville, is mentioned. Based at Gibraltar, Force H patrolled both the Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean often escorting vital convoys to Malta. It was Somerville who led the fleet in the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir and they would also be later involved in the hunt for the Bismarck.  As well as describing the fleet's ships, its commander and their wartime endeavors, the role and defences of Gibraltar is also covered. This is an added bonus as most books generally only give Gibraltar a passing mention. With a fascinating narrative, aided with many useful maps, charts and original artwork, it is a book I have certainly enjoyed and would definitely rec...
Read more