A short war is the complete history of 623 squadron, a shortlived unit who flew. Chorley has done an excellent job of recording the losses suffered by bomber command during world war ii. Bomber command books is a community site from mention the war publications, a specialist in publishing and selling. This series has been of enduring interest over many years, and is still highly sought after. This book contains a full quotation of the two paragraphs quoted here, and cites the source as albert speer. Aircraft of bomber command raf bomber command, 193668. The squadron was reformed as a night bomber unit on hyderabads at raf upper heyford on 3 january 1928, before moving to raf boscombe down in 1931 and later on to raf dishforth in 1937 to form part of the newly created no. The narrative alternates between focusing on command and political discussions, and historical max hastings bomber command is a rare achievement. Insights into the organisation, equipment, men, machines and tactics of raf bomber command 19391945 haynes manuals by jonathan falconer. Bomber command is max hastings superbly readable history of the raf campaign against germany in the second world war. Over the course of the war, it developed from a limited and relatively ineffective force into a weapon of immense destructive power. Bowman recounts the development of bomber command from its early twin engine hampdens, wellingtons, and whitleys, through the introduction of the fourengined. It found especial fame during world war ii, when its aircraft were used for devastating nighttime air raids on germany and occupied europe, principally the former, their bombing raids causing tremendous destruction of urban areas and factories.
Read raf bomber command books like lost in the flames and bf 110 vs lancaster for free with a free 30day trial. Forum dedicated to discussing coastal command losses. The scale of devastation wreaked by raf bomber command in world war two is revealed in detailed maps being published for the first time. Hastings explores the history of the rafs bomber command in world war ii, beginning with its origins, tracing its evolution throughout the conflict, and concluding with its legacy. Bowmans raf bomber command books are a superbly researched and written series of volumes telling the story of the royal air forces bomber command during world war ii. This book suggests that by the end of the war bomber command had perfected its techniques and were able to accurately bomb specific targets, in large part thanks to groundterrain radar. Divbomber commands air offensive against the cities of nazi germany was one of the most epic campaigns of world war ii. The history of the royal air force, the air force of the united kingdom, spans a century of british military aviation the raf was founded on 1 april 1918, towards the end of the first world war by merging the royal flying corps and the royal naval air service. This work, in hastingss characteristic prose, profiles the harrowing experiences of bomber commands aircrew from 193945, the entire length of the. The bomber command war diaries an operational reference book 19391945. From 1942 onward, the british bombing campaign against germany became less restrictive and increasingly targeted industrial sites and the civilian manpower base essential for german war production. Raf bomber command during the second world war imperial war. General history european history american history asian history. Staff, raf history the second world war a bibliography prepared by the raf see the section bomber command.
Bomber command maps reveal extent of german destruction. Please do not copy from this website contact emails are marked on any that are free, please use the email listed to request a copy. It needed to be big in the years 1942 to 1945 when, as the epicentre of raf bomber command, the county was home to hundreds of avro lancasters. We specialise in publishing and selling books about raf bomber command in the second world war and related topics. In 1939 there were 6 groups in bomber command, 5 no. Roosevelt, president of the thenneutral united states, asked the major belligerents to confine their air raids to military targets. Bomber command s air offensive against the cities of nazi germany was one of the most epic campaigns of world war ii. Jul 05, 2012 founded in 2006, historum is a history forum dedicated to history discussions and historical events.
The most famous ones were in britain and the united states. If you were only to read this book, you would get a very twisted view of the raf bomber offensive against germany. Raf bomber command controlled the rafs bomber force from 19361968. These include existing published material as well as original research. Learn from raf bomber command experts like chris jory and robert forczyk. Dec 16, 2014 don charlwoods and miles tripps books caused sensations when they were first published, giving a personal and very direct view of what life was like in bomber command at different times in the war. Bomber command suffered heavier casualties than any other raf command during the battle of britain, with a total of 718 personnel lost. Raf bomber command was created in 1936 and comprised the raf s light and heavy bomber squadrons. I could not find a specific thread on the forums for raf bomber command and day and night bombing operations over western europe. Royal air force operations record books 19111963 the national. Discover the best raf bomber command books and audiobooks. Raf bomber commands offensive against the cities of germany was one of the epic campaigns of the second world war. From 1942 onward, the british bombing campaign against germany became less restrictive and increasingly targeted industrial sites and the civilian. I suppose you could say the books been nearly 100 years in the making, so im.
The struggle in the air began meekly in 1939 with only a few whitleys, hampdens, and wellingtons. Bomber command books from mention the war publications, merthyr tydfil. Your help is needed royal air force journal, september 1944 warrant officer ewan brookings logbook 1 sqn seac 100,000 airmen accounted for. These are royal air force raf operations record books orbs, though the. Many sources have been used in the preparation of this website. The scars of the second world war still line bomber. Would anyone have specific ideas on books and online documents and discussions i could readresearch about bomber command, missions, losses, and reports as well as writings about the successfailures of raf night bombing. Oct 08, 2015 the scale of devastation wreaked by raf bomber command in world war two is revealed in detailed maps being published for the first time. Apart from the obvious interest to aviation historians, many people researching family history find these books invaluable, as so many families had someone in an raf bomber squadron, who failed to return from active service. He also had direct communications with fighter command and the air ministry. Its superb design, overall performance, and loadcarrying capacity proved key factors in successfully prosecuting the nocturnal bombing offensive against hitlers industrial and military base.
Bristol blenheim iv aircraft of 40 squadron taxying at raf wyton, july 1940. In his book bomber offensive, published in 1947, marshal of the royal air force sir arthur harris wrote that all the credit for preventing the invasion of britain had. But of interest to 550 squadron because on pages 247 and 248 avc johnson describes an event where a lancaster bomber attacks a german military column on two low passes all guns blazing. Don charlwoods and miles tripps books caused sensations when they were first published, giving a personal and very direct view of what life was like in bomber command at different times in the war. During 12 years of research, he has interviewed more than a hundred raf aircrew. After a short period of operations from raf foulsham, the squadron transferred to its permanent home at raf waterbeach, cambridgeshire, in december 1943, some aircraft travelling from the old base to the new via a. Raf bomber command project gutenberg selfpublishing. Nov, 2019 raf bomber command controlled the raf s bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. A selection of books relating to raf waddington history, squadrons and operations. All the routes are clearly marked and journeys end will be easily defined. Bomber command maps reveal extent of german destruction bbc. Rosss plans to publish volume 2 and 3 are however on hold. It received a major slice of britains economic and technological resources, and many of its brightest and best. During the second world war each raf bomber crew member was a volunteer, and in the case of the commands elite pathfinder force, many were volunteers within a volunteer force.
Many of the senior officers in bomber command were experienced from world war one but none of them had experienced modern bombing as seen at guernica in the spanish civil war. Raf distinguished service order dso awards citation database did you buy this spitfire photo on ebay. It began the war operating the vickers wellington from marham, norfolk, but active operations did not begin until the german invasion of norway in april 1940. A bomber command is generally used for strategic bombing although at times, e. The coastal command losses from 19391941 are well covered in ross mcneills book raf coastal command losses. Steve darlow is the grandson of a bomber command pilot and the author of nine books on military aviation. Bomber command had the highest % loss of any service 56,000. What is the percentage of losses for raf bomber command. Bowmans raf bomber command books are a superbly researched and written series of volumes telling the story of the royal air force s bomber command during world war ii.
From 1942 onward, the british bombing campaign against germany became less restrictive and increasing. A history of the royal air force in lincolnshire t n hancock from royal naval air service and royal flying corps when rudimentary airfields constructed during the first world war, through the raf s night bombing offensive of the second world war via the nuclear vforce of the cold war era to the present. For anyone who is interested in studying raf history, whether he is a seasoned historian, or completely new to it, should have a copy of every volume in the bomber command series. Sep 09, 20 bomber command, through fits and starts, grew into an effective fighting force. Raf bomber command during the 1962 cuban missile crisis robin woolven i witnessed, from the air sixty miles away, the spectacular grapplex megaton nuclear test off christmas island in the paci.
Aircraft of bomber command raf bomber command, 193668 by chris ashworth. The best books on pilots of the second world war recommended by steve darlow. During this time, the unit operated a variety of types, including hinaidis, virginias and handley page heyfords. The royal air force played a crucial role in ensuring the success of operation overlord. Bomber command organisation, october 1944april 1945 raf bomber command, 193668 by chris ashworth books read and share books read and share 3600 bc 500 ad. A selection of books relating to the royal air force and its stations and bases in the county of lincolnshire in the twentieth century. Upon publication, bomber command, winner of the somerset maugham prize, attracted controversy but today is widely considered a classic account of one of the longest and bloodiest campaigns of world war ii. Not a bomber command book it is the story of j e johnnie johnson later air vice marshal johnson, who served with fighter command squadrons throughout the war.
In the 1960s, it became even more powerful because it had v bombers and canberras. Insights into the organisation, equipment, men, machines and tactics of raf bomber command 19391945 haynes manuals. Buy bomber command pan military classics main market by max hastings isbn. Denis richards is an excellent writer and he has written an excellent onevolume history of bomber command. A history of the royal air force in lincolnshire t n hancock from royal naval air service and royal flying corps when rudimentary airfields constructed during the first world war, through the rafs night bombing offensive of the second world war via the nuclear vforce of the cold war era to the present. Bomber command is an organisational military unit, generally subordinate to the air force of a country. Sep 23, 20 bomber command s air offensive against the cities of nazi germany was one of the most epic campaigns of world war ii. From 1942 onward, the british bombing campaign against germany became less restrictive and increasingly targeted industrial sites and the civilian manpower. Staff, raf history the second world war a bibliography prepared by the raf see the section bomber command and the strategic air offensive against germany bob baxters bomber command comprehensive history and research about bomber command. Many of the published sources used are listed below.
The scars of the second world war still line bomber country. Below bomber command were groups group in 1939 there were 6 groups in bomber command, 5 no. Raf bomber commands heavy bomber in world war ii the avro lancaster was the royal air forces main fourengine bomber in world war ii. Along with the united states army air forces, it played the central role in the strategic bombing of germany in world war ii. I have read many histories of the usaaf and raf bomber offensive and all refer to aircraft losses as a percentage, it is not a lack of moral fiber at all. Five books participates in the amazon associate program and.
Bibliography royal air force organisational history. We specialise in publishing and selling books about raf bomber command in the second. After the officiallycommissioned 1941 butt report revealed bombing to be shockingly inaccurate churchill recognised this is a very serious paper and seems to require urgent attention. Raf bomber command controlled the raf s bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. Defence of the realm 1936 1945 011406 we wage war by night. Raf bomber command wikimili, the free encyclopedia. The struggle began in 1939 with a few score primitive whitleys, hampdens and wellingtons, and. Yates book came out somewhat later, but was, and is, remarkable for a first book written at the age of 77. The history of britains most famous world war ii bomber plane books s. Jun 27, 2012 the scars of the second world war still line bomber country the queen will mark the huge sacrifices of the raf when she unveils the bomber command memorial in green park. Bomber command organisation, october 1944april 1945 raf. Jan 01, 1979 hastings explores the history of the raf s bomber command in world war ii, beginning with its origins, tracing its evolution throughout the conflict, and concluding with its legacy. By late 1941, raf bomber command was regularly mounting raids by hundreds of aircraft. You may find what you are looking for in raf operations record books and.
Royal air force combat reports 19391945 the national archives. Archives sector home historical manuscripts commission finding funding. Raf bomber command was formed in 1936 to be responsible for all bombing activities of the raf. Mr phillips, who served as a flight lieutenant with the raf in the second. Raf bomber command and its crews were probably unique in the history of warfare. Thus, bomber command and its relentless cinc, sir arthur harris. From 1942 onward, the british bombing campaign against germany became less restrictive and increasingly targeted industrial sites and the civilian manpower base essential. These records are royal air force combat reports written during the second world war. This forum is intended as a stopgap till that time ross completes his project. More than 56,000 british and commonwealth aircrew and 600,000 germans died in the course of the rafs attempt to win the war by bombing. There are literally hundreds of books written about raf bomber command and the lancaster.
Mar 22, 2012 raf bomber command s offensive against the cities of germany was one of the epic campaigns of the second world war. The history of 514 squadron raf 514 squadron served in the rafs no. How you choose to interpret it all is your own dilemma and the stuff of other books entirely. Would anyone have specific ideas on books and online documents and discussions i could readresearch about bomber command, missions, losses, and reports as well as writings about the successfailures of raf night bombing operations during ww2. Raf bomber command controlled the rafs bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. Our growing list of titles focuses on the aircraft, squadrons and above all the men and women who shaped the legend that endures to this day. More than 56,000 british and commonwealth aircrew and 600,000 germans died in the course of the raf s attempt to win the war by bombing. The raf, like most of the allied military services, were unprepared in 1939 for the demands of the second world war. This ended in april 1940 with the german invasion of norway. During the second world war, it destroyed many german cities and several of nazi germanys industries.
Our community welcomes everyone from around the world to discuss world history, historical periods, and themes in history military history, archaeology, arts and culture, and history in books and movies. Raf bomber command during the second world war imperial. Sixty years after its creation, raf bomber command remains controversial. It actually started in february 1944 when bomber command started a series of attacks on the german aircraft industry by night, whilst the us eighth air force drew the luftwaffe into the air by day so it could be gradually worn down. The author examines bomber command s search for equipment and doctrine suitable to the war, in the process shedding much light on the politics of making war within the raf and the british government. Bomber command books is the sales site for mention the war ltd. Bomber command books from mention the war publications.
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