Overview

A comprehensive and richly illustrated account of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command from its inception prior to World War Two in 1936 to its final years during the Cold War. The book covers: - The reasons for Bomber Command and the personnel that guided its formation. The philosophy and politics of the change from strategic bombing to area bombing, with the ensuing fallout. - The Bomber Command organisation and how it functioned from the Headquarters down to the various Groups and the many Squadrons. Famous and specialised squadrons and the war honours awarded to them. - The geographical context with the location of the many bases and their connection to the local area. A bomber base had a large financial and social impact on the local economy and many lasting war-time bonds were established. - The operational aircraft that spearheaded the might of Bomber Command and brought the bombs to the enemy shore, focusing on famous aircraft such as the Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax and unique Fighter-Bomber de Havilland Mosquito, explaining their construction and performance. The importance of training aircraft and, unfortunately, the high training losses. - Major target raids and the aircraft and squadrons taking part. Some raids were ill conceived, and others were brilliant in their execution. - Some of the famous people and crews that made up Bomber Command and those that were awarded Britain's highest medal of honour, the Victoria Cross. This puts the 'human face' on Bomber Command and all its failings and accomplishments. - The transition during the Cold War period to its new role with nuclear weapons until superseded by the missile age. - A synopsis of the wartime bombing campaign statistics to help interpret the accomplishments of Bomber Command. - Complemented visually with a range of images of memorials, statues, famous and important personnel, headquarters, emblems and logos, bases and stations, Bombing Command aircraft, pedestal and museum aircraft, aircraft engines, and manufacturer's factories.

Full Product Details

9781445690933

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Reviews

'In this comprehensive and illustrated history, Gordon Wilson, a retired military and commercial pilot, explores the 'human face' of the organisation from its inception just prior to World War II until its final years during the Cold War.' -- Military History Matters, December 21/ January 2022 'Overall this book is very well written and the author has the technical detail and knowledge as a former flyer, that has produced a really good read so compliments to the author and a book I would certainly recommend.' -- Ben Davidson Blog

Author Information

Gordon A. A. Wilson is a retired military and commercial pilot. He flew with the Canadian Air Force 414 Electronic Warfare Squadron, flying target aircraft on secret missions to test the defences of North America and as a squadron maintenance test pilot. He subsequently flew for thirty years for a major airline and since retiring has worked as a ground school instructor for Air Canada and as an aviation consultant writing standard operating procedures manuals. His other books for Amberley include 'NORAD and the Soviet Nuclear Threat', 'Lancaster Manual 1943' (Editor), 'The Lancaster' 'The Merlin', and 'The Hercules'. He lives in British Columbia, Canada.

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