The Second World War in the Air: The Story of Air Combat in Every Theatre of World War TwoThis book is a complete narrative history of the Second World War in the air which starts by describing the early days of flight in order to put military air power in context when World War Two began. It then moves on to a step-by-step coverage of the air combat in each theatre of war. Offering a comprehensive history – that includes the lesser known campaigns such as the fighting in Burma, Italy and East Africa as well as the air offensive in Western Europe and the struggle in the Pacific – it also re-examines the RAF bombing of German cities and the moral issues raised. This is the first history of the air war to give full and proportionate coverage to the war in Russia, which until now has been largely ignored. The Second World War in the Air is a comprehensive review of the air war. It’s meticulously researched, readable and remains in touch with what the fighting meant for individuals in the various combatant nations. |
Contents
The First World War and its Legacy | 8 |
Japan Russia and Italy | 22 |
The Western Powers | 46 |
The Fall of France | 73 |
Convoy Protection and the Early Bomber Offensives | 85 |
War in the Pacific | 127 |
The Bomber Offensive 19423 | 141 |
Russian Recovery | 155 |
DDay and After | 260 |
Russia Triumphant | 277 |
Japan Overwhelmed | 289 |
The End in the West | 304 |
The End in the East | 321 |
The End in the Pacific | 334 |
Epilogue | 351 |
Ranks and Organization | 360 |
Common terms and phrases
aeroplane Air Force Air Ministry air power aircraft carriers airfields Airfleet Allied American anti-aircraft army aviation base Battle of Britain battleship became began bomb load Bomber Command British campaign carried coast cockpit combat crew damage defence destroyed difficult dive effective enemy engine escort field fight Fighter fighter pilots fighter planes fighting figure finally find fire first five fleet flew flight flown flying France front line fuel German German fighters ground attack ground attack aircraft guns Hans Rudel heavy bombers Hitler I/Var Ibid industry invasion island Italian Japan Japanese killed land large numbers launched losses lost Luftwaffe Luftwaffe’s military mission Navy night fighter North offensive officer official operations Pacific problem Rabaul radar raid range reconnaissance result Russian ships shot significant Soviet Spitfire squadrons strategic bombing Stukas sunk tactics tanks targets theatre took torpedo troops U-boats U.S. Navy victories whole wing World