A History Of The Mediterranean Air War 1940 1945 Volume 2

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A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945. Volume 2

Author : Christopher Shores
Publisher : Grub Street Publishing
ISBN 13 : 191069097X
Total Pages : 736 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (16 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945. Volume 2 by : Christopher Shores

Download or read book A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945. Volume 2 written by Christopher Shores and published by Grub Street Publishing. This book was released on 2014-07-19 with total page 736 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This second volume in the seminal series on aerial combat, pilots, and tactics in Libya and Egypt in the middle of World War II. In volume two of this series, historian Christopher Shores begins by exploring the 8th Army’s movements after Operation Crusader when they were forced back to the Gazala area in northeastern Libya, as well as their defeat in June, 1942, the loss of Tobruk, and the efforts of Allied air forces to protect their retreating troops. Shores continues with the heavy fighting that followed in the El Alamein region. This features the Western Desert Air Force and the arrival of the first Spitfires. The buildup of both army and air forces and the addition of new commanders on the ground aided the defeat of Rommel’s Deutsche Afrika Korps at Alam el Halfa, after which came the Second Battle of El Alamein. With the arrival of the United States Army Air Force, the Allied air forces gained dominance over the Axis. Shores recounts the lengthy pursuit of the Italo-German forces right across Libya, including the capture of Tripoli and the breakthrough into Southern Tunisia. This allowed a linkup with other Allied forces in Tunisia (whose story appears in Volume 3). Included with the action are stories of some of the great fighter aces of the Desert campaign such as Jochen Marseille and Otto Schulz of the Luftwaffe, Franco Bordoni-Bisleri of the Regia Aeronautica and Neville Duke, Billy Drake, and “Eddie” Edwards of the Commonwealth air forces. Finally, Shores touches on the Allied and Axis night bombing offensives and the activities of the squadrons cooperating with the naval forces in the Mediterranean.

A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945

Author : Christopher Shores
Publisher : Grub Street Publishers
ISBN 13 : 1910690678
Total Pages : 682 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (16 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945 by : Christopher Shores

Download or read book A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945 written by Christopher Shores and published by Grub Street Publishers. This book was released on 2016-08-05 with total page 682 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The third volume in the epic military aviation series focuses on the Allied invasion of North Africa during World War II. This work of WWII history takes us to November 1942 to explain the background of the first major Anglo-American venture: Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa. Describing the fratricidal combat that followed the initial landings in Morocco and Algeria, it then considers the unsuccessful efforts to reach northern Tunisia before the Germans and Italians could get there to forestall the possibility of an attack from the west on the rear of the Afrika Korps forces, then beginning their retreat from El Alamein. The six months of hard fighting that followed, as the Allies built up the strength of their joint air forces and gradually wrested control of the skies from the Axis, are recounted in detail. The continuing story of the Western Desert Air Force is told, as it advanced from the east to join hands with the units in the west. Also covered are the arrivals over the front of American pilots and crew, the P-38 Lightning, the Spitfire IX, and the B-17 Flying Fortress—and of the much-feared Focke-Wulf Fw 190. The aerial activities over Tunisia became one of the focal turning points of World War II, yet are frequently overlooked by historians. Here, the air-sea activities, the reconnaissance flights, and the growing day and night bomber offensives are examined in detail.

A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945

Author : Christopher Shores
Publisher : Grub Street Publishers
ISBN 13 : 190980875X
Total Pages : 962 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (98 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945 by : Christopher Shores

Download or read book A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945 written by Christopher Shores and published by Grub Street Publishers. This book was released on 2012-06-19 with total page 962 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This first volume in the seminal series on World War II aerial combat, pilots, and tactics that “reads like an encyclopedia on the subject” (Portland Book Review). In the early days of World War II, both Allied and Axis powers extended the theater of war to North Africa, where hard-fought battles were conducted in the harsh desert. But before anyone could claim victory on the ground, they had to hold dominion in the air. Here, historian Christopher Shores has combined his books Fighters over the Desert and Fighters over Tunisia into one volume, as well as adding updated information about the deadly fighter aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and maritime units active in the Mediterranean. Full of in-depth research and featuring essential maps, this is “an intimate introspection by these men of their experiences and the respect that they shared not only for each other but also their adversaries” (The Military Reviewer).

A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945

Author : Christopher Shores
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
ISBN 13 : 1911621785
Total Pages : 697 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (116 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945 by : Christopher Shores

Download or read book A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940–1945 written by Christopher Shores and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2018-11-05 with total page 697 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fourth volume in the comprehensive series “fills a gap in the existing narrative” of WWII’s Mediterranean air war (Journal of Military History). The fourth volume in this momentous series commences with the attacks on the Italian island fortress of Pantellaria, which led to its surrender and occupation achieved almost by air attack alone. The account continues with the ultimately successful, but at times very hard fought, invasions of Sicily and southern Italy as burgeoning Allied air power, now with full US involvement, increasingly dominated the skies overhead. The successive occupations of Sardinia and Corsica are also covered in detail. This is essentially the story of the tactical air forces up to the point when Rome was occupied, just at the same time as the Normandy landings were occurring in northwest France. With regards to the long-range tactical role of the Allied heavy bombers, only the period from May to October is examined, while they remained based in North Africa, with the narrative continuing in a future volume. This volume also delves into the story of “the soldiers’ air force.” Frequently overshadowed by more immediate newsworthy events elsewhere, the soldiers’ struggle was often of an equally Homeric nature. “No future publication on the Mediterranean air war will be credible without use of this series.” —Air Power History

A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945, Volume 5

Author : Christopher Shores
Publisher : Grub Street Publishing
ISBN 13 : 191166767X
Total Pages : 527 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (116 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945, Volume 5 by : Christopher Shores

Download or read book A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945, Volume 5 written by Christopher Shores and published by Grub Street Publishing. This book was released on 2021-12-03 with total page 527 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “This international collaboration between air war historians is simply fantastic. . . . a deep-dive on the operations in a vast and very important theater of war.” —Air Classics During the final year of World War II, the defending Axis forces were steadily driven from southern skies by burgeoning Anglo-American power. This was despite the steady withdrawal of units to more demanding areas. This fifth volume of the series describes in detail the activities of the Allied tactical air forces in support of the armies on the ground as their opponents were steadily extracted from northern Italy and the Balkans for the final defense of the central European homeland. The book commences with coverage of the final fierce air-sea battles over the Aegean that preceded the advance northward to Rome and the ill-conceived British attempt to secure the Dodecanese islands following the armistice with Italy. The authors also deal fully and comprehensively with the advance northward following the occupation of Rome, and the departure of forces to support the invasion of France from the Riviera coast, coupled with the formation of a new Balkan Air Force in eastern Italy to pursue the German armies withdrawing from Yugoslavia and take possession of newly freed Greece. The effect of the creation within the same area of the US and RAF strategic forces to join the Allied Combined Bombing Offensive is also discussed. Includes photographs “Reflects the scope of a remarkable research effort and provides valuable detail that the reader is not going to find between two covers elsewhere.” —The NYMAS Review

A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945

Author : Giovanni Massimello
Publisher : History of the Mediterranean A
ISBN 13 : 9781910690000
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945 by : Giovanni Massimello

Download or read book A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945 written by Giovanni Massimello and published by History of the Mediterranean A. This book was released on 2016-07-29 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The third volume in this series returns to November 1942 to explain the background to the first major Anglo-American venture - Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa. It deals with the fratricidal combats which followed the initial landings in Morocco and Algeria for several days. It then considers the efforts made - unsuccessfully in the event - to reach northern Tunisia before the Germans and Italians could get there to forestall the possibility of an attack from the west on the rear of the Afrika Korps forces, then beginning their retreat from El Alamein. The six months of hard fighting which followed as the Allies built up the strength of their joint air forces and gradually wrested control of the skies from the Axis, are covered in detail. Then from 1 April 1943 the continuing story of the Western Desert Air Force is told from the point at which Volume 2 ended, as it advanced from the east to join hands with the units in the west. Now also described are the arrivals over the front of American pilots and crew, the P-38 Lightning, the Spitfire IX and the B-17 Flying Fortress - and of the much-feared Focke-Wulf FW 190. The aerial activities over Tunisia became one of the focal turning points of World War II, yet this is frequently overlooked by historians. As before, the air-sea activities, the reconnaissance flights and the growing day and night bomber offensives form a major part of this volume. The mastery of the whole African coastline of the southern Mediterranean by the Allies prepared the way for the invasions of the European territories on the other side of this critical sea during 1943, which will be dealt with in Volume 4.

A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945

Author : Christopher Shores
Publisher : Grub Street Publishing
ISBN 13 : 9781909166127
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (661 download)

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Book Synopsis A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945 by : Christopher Shores

Download or read book A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945 written by Christopher Shores and published by Grub Street Publishing. This book was released on 2014-05 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume I of this series dealt with the 19 months of the air war over the Western Desert of North Africa. This volume picks up as the 8th Army was forced back midway between the Cyrenaican/Tripolitanian border of Libya and the frontier with Egypt. It covers the lull prior to the defeat of the 8th Army in June 1942 and the loss of the important port

Why Air Forces Fail

Author : Robin Higham
Publisher : University Press of Kentucky
ISBN 13 : 0813167612
Total Pages : 417 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (131 download)

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Book Synopsis Why Air Forces Fail by : Robin Higham

Download or read book Why Air Forces Fail written by Robin Higham and published by University Press of Kentucky. This book was released on 2006-02-17 with total page 417 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Includes two new chapters! “One of the more interesting and better books on military aviation to appear in the last few years.”—Journal of Military History Since the publication of the first edition of Why Air Forces Fail, the debate over airpower’s role in military operations has only intensified. Here, eminent historians Robin Higham and Stephen J. Harris assemble a team of experts to add essential new details to their cautionary tale for current practitioners of aerial warfare. Together, the contributors examine the complex, often deep-seated, reasons for the catastrophic failures of the Russian, Polish, French, British, Italian, German, Argentine, and American air services. Complemented by reading lists and suggestions for further research, this seminal study with two new chapters provides an essential and detailed analysis of defeat. “Contains many interesting insights and interpretations . . . an excellent introduction to the study of military failure in general and air forces in particular.”—Journal of America’s Military Past “I recommend this book to those who are interested in air forces and air power, whether amateur or professional, past, present and future.”—Richard Cobbold, Bryanston: The Yearbook “Provides an excellent analysis of the root causes of failure; this engaging study goes far beyond the aerial battlefield to examine the circumstances leading to defeat.”—Dennis Drew, Colonel, USAF (Ret.)

Alarmstart South and Final Defeat

Author : Patrick G. Eriksson
Publisher : Amberley Publishing Limited
ISBN 13 : 144569333X
Total Pages : 476 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (456 download)

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Book Synopsis Alarmstart South and Final Defeat by : Patrick G. Eriksson

Download or read book Alarmstart South and Final Defeat written by Patrick G. Eriksson and published by Amberley Publishing Limited. This book was released on 2019-10-15 with total page 476 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The personal reminiscences of Luftwaffe veterans and original documents and images give a unique insight into the Mediterranean theatre and late aerial war battles.

Very Special Ships

Author : Arthur Nicholson
Publisher : Seaforth Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1848322356
Total Pages : 218 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (483 download)

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Book Synopsis Very Special Ships by : Arthur Nicholson

Download or read book Very Special Ships written by Arthur Nicholson and published by Seaforth Publishing. This book was released on 2015-10-30 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Very Special Ships is the first full-length book about the six Abdiel-class fast minelayers, the fastest and most versatile ships to serve in the Royal Navy in the Second World War. They operated not only as offensive minelayers dashing into enemy waters under cover of darkness but in many other roles, most famously as blockade runners to Malta. In lieu of mines, they transported items as diverse as ammunition, condensed milk, gold, and VIPs. Distinguished by their three funnels, the Abdiels were attractive, well-designed ships, and they were also unique no other navy had such ships, and so they were sought-after commands and blessed with fine captains. To give the fullest picture of this important class of ships, the book details the origins and history of mines, minelayers, and minelaying; covers the origins and design of the class; describes the construction of each of the six ships, and the modified design of the last two; tells in detail of the operational careers of the ships in the second World War, when they played vital roles in the battle of Crete and the siege of Malta, plied the hazardous route to Tobruk, and laid mines off the Italian coast. The post-war careers of the surviving ships is also documented. Written to appeal to naval enthusiasts, students of World War II and modelmakers, the author tells the story of these ships through first-hand accounts, official sources, and specially- commissioned drawings and photographs.

Desert Armour

Author : Robert Forczyk
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472859839
Total Pages : 369 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis Desert Armour by : Robert Forczyk

Download or read book Desert Armour written by Robert Forczyk and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2023-10-12 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Robert Forczyk covers the development of armoured warfare in North Africa from Rommel's Gazala offensive in 1942 through to the end of war in the desert in Tunisia in 1943. The war in the North African desert was pure mechanized warfare, and in many respects the most technologically advanced theatre of World War II. It was also the only theatre where for three years British and Commonwealth, and later US, troops were in constant contact with Axis forces. World War II best-selling author Robert Forczyk explores the second half of the history of the campaign, from the Gazala offensive in May 1942 that drove the British forces all the way back to the Egyptian frontier and led to the fall of Tobruk, through the pivotal battles of El Alamein, and the final Allied victory in Tunisia. He examines the armoured forces, equipment, doctrine, training, logistics and operations employed by both Allied and Axis forces throughout the period, focusing especially on the brigade and regimental level of operations. Fully illustrated throughout with photographs, profile artwork and maps, and featuring tactical-level vignettes and appendices analysing tank data, tank deliveries in-theatre and orders of battle, this book goes back to the sources to provide a new study of armoured warfare in the desert.

Derrick VC in his own words

Author : Mark Johnston
Publisher : NewSouth Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1742245226
Total Pages : 378 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (422 download)

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Book Synopsis Derrick VC in his own words by : Mark Johnston

Download or read book Derrick VC in his own words written by Mark Johnston and published by NewSouth Publishing. This book was released on 2021-04-01 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tom 'Diver' Derrick VC DCM was Australia's most famous fighting soldier of World War II. Derrick fought in five campaigns, won the highest medals for bravery, and died of wounds sustained while leading his men in the war's last stages. His career reached its climax on the jungle-clad heights of Sattelberg in New Guinea, where he won the Victoria Cross by spearheading the capture of seemingly impregnable Japanese defences. The diaries Derrick kept throughout his campaigns, from Tobruk to Tarakan, are among the most important writings by any Australian soldier. Those diaries and all his other known wartime correspondence and interviews are published here for the first time in their entirety. 'Diver' had only a rudimentary education, but his intelligence, humour, ambition and fighting outlook shine through his words. Edited and annotated by Mark Johnston, one of Australia's leading authorities on World War II, this book provides unprecedented insights into the mind and the remarkable career of one of Australia's most decorated and renowned servicemen. 'Australia's leading World War II historian reveals Australia's most intriguing Victoria Cross winner – an enticing and informative pairing!' — Professor Peter Stanley 'Brilliantly researched – a wonderful, enlightening insight into the life of Australia's most remarkable frontline soldier of World War II.' — Professor David Horner 'Few historians would be better suited to writing about the soldiers' battles, weapons and equipment during the Second World War than Mark Johnston. Over the past decade he has become the leading historian on the experience of Australian soldiers during the war.' — Karl James, Wartime Magazine

Britain's Victory, Denmark's Freedom

Author : Mikkel Plannthin
Publisher : Fonthill Media
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 272 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Britain's Victory, Denmark's Freedom by : Mikkel Plannthin

Download or read book Britain's Victory, Denmark's Freedom written by Mikkel Plannthin and published by Fonthill Media. This book was released on 2017-08-19 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The Battle for North Africa

Author : Glyn Harper
Publisher : Indiana University Press
ISBN 13 : 0253031435
Total Pages : 301 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (53 download)

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Book Synopsis The Battle for North Africa by : Glyn Harper

Download or read book The Battle for North Africa written by Glyn Harper and published by Indiana University Press. This book was released on 2017-06-06 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A well-researched and highly readable account of one of World War II’s most important ‘turning point’ battles.” —Jerry D. Morelock, Senior Editor at HistoryNet.com In the early years of World War II, Germany shocked the world with a devastating blitzkrieg, rapidly conquered most of Europe, and pushed into North Africa. As the Allies scrambled to counter the Axis armies, the British Eighth Army confronted the experienced Afrika Corps, led by German field marshal Erwin Rommel, in three battles at El Alamein. In the first battle, the Eighth Army narrowly halted the advance of the Germans during the summer of 1942. However, the stalemate left Nazi troops within striking distance of the Suez Canal, which would provide a critical tactical advantage to the controlling force. War historian Glyn Harper dives into the story, vividly narrating the events, strategies, and personalities surrounding the battles and paying particular attention to the Second Battle of El Alamein, a crucial turning point in the war that would be described by Winston Churchill as “the end of the beginning.” Moving beyond a simple narrative of the conflict, The Battle for North Africa tackles critical themes, such as the problems of coalition warfare, the use of military intelligence, the role of celebrity generals, and the importance of an all-arms approach to modern warfare.

The Messerschmitt 210/410 Story

Author : Jan Forsgren
Publisher : Fonthill Media
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 366 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis The Messerschmitt 210/410 Story by : Jan Forsgren

Download or read book The Messerschmitt 210/410 Story written by Jan Forsgren and published by Fonthill Media. This book was released on 2019-09-17 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1938, the Reichsluftfahrtsministerium (German Air Ministry, RLM), issued a requirement for a new twin-engine heavy fighter to replace the Me 110. This type of combat aeroplane was known as Zerstörer (Destroyer). The first prototype flew in September 1939. The Me 210 proved very difficult to fly, having numerous deficiencies. It was said to be deadlier to its crews than the enemy. Nevertheless, the Luftwaffe ordered the Me 210 into production. Operational trials began in late 1941, but it was eventually acknowledged that the aircraft had to be redesigned in order to be accepted into Luftwaffe service. The whole Me 210 debacle proved a huge scandal. A redesigned variant, the Me 410 began to reach Luftwaffe units in mid-1943. Even if the Me 210 and Me 410 were similar in appearance, the latter had to be redesigned to avoid the extremely poor reputation of the Me 210. The Me 410 proved a quite successful aeroplane, being used as a heavy fighter and for reconnaissance duties. Its closest Allied equivalent was the British DH 98 Mosquito. More than 1,500 Me 210/410s were built in Germany and Hungary, with only two Me 410s surviving today.

Macchi C.202 Folgore

Author : Davide F. Jabes
Publisher : Fonthill Media
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 215 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Macchi C.202 Folgore by : Davide F. Jabes

Download or read book Macchi C.202 Folgore written by Davide F. Jabes and published by Fonthill Media. This book was released on 2021-12-02 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Macchi C.202 was probably the most successful Italian fighter during the Second World War. It is generally agreed that the performance of the Macchi was superior to both the Hawker Hurricane and the Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk and on a par with the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. V. It is not by chance that virtually all the Italian top scoring aces flew this plane either with the Regia Aeronautica or the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana. At the same time, the Mc.202 is the symbol of the dysfunctions in the Italian military-industrial complex: the lack of sound industrial planning resulting in orders from the Regia Aeronautica for an exaggerated number of different aircraft; the lack of the development of adequate engines limiting aircraft performance and reducing capacity to house weapons with a proper punch; the corruption of politics and the culpable connivance of the high military spheres. The Mc.202 was therefore produced in limited numbers, while there is consensus that air war, especially in the African theatre, would have been different had the aircraft been adopted before.

The Mediterranean Air War

Author : Robert S. Ehlers, Jr.
Publisher : University Press of Kansas
ISBN 13 : 0700620753
Total Pages : 536 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (6 download)

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Book Synopsis The Mediterranean Air War by : Robert S. Ehlers, Jr.

Download or read book The Mediterranean Air War written by Robert S. Ehlers, Jr. and published by University Press of Kansas. This book was released on 2015-03-27 with total page 536 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Without what the Allies learned in the Mediterranean air war in 1942–1944, the Normandy landings—and so, perhaps, the Second World War II—would have ended differently. This is one of many lessons of The Mediterranean Air War, the first one-volume history of the vital role of airpower during the three-year struggle for control of the Mediterranean Basin in World War II—and of its significance for the Allied successes in the war's last two years. Airpower historian Robert S. Ehlers opens his account with an assessment of the pre-war Mediterranean theater, highlighting the ways in which the players' strategic choices, strengths, and shortcomings set the stage for and ultimately shaped the air campaigns over the Middle Sea. Beginning with the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, Ehlers reprises the developing international crisis—initially between Britain and Italy, and finally encompassing France, Germany, the US, other members of the British Commonwealth, and the Balkan countries. He then explores the Mediterranean air war in detail, with close attention to turning points, joint and combined operations, and the campaign's contribution to the larger Allied effort. In particular, his analysis shows how and why the success of Allied airpower in the Mediterranean laid the groundwork for combined-arms victories in the Middle East, the Indian Ocean area, North Africa, and the Atlantic, northwest Europe. Of grand-strategic importance from the days of Ancient Rome to the Great-Power rivalries of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Middle Sea was no less crucial to the Allied forces and their foes. Here, in the successful offensives in North Africa in 1942 and 1943, the US and the British learned to conduct a coalition air and combined-arms war. Here, in Sicily and Italy in 1943 and 1944, the Allies mastered the logistics of providing air support for huge naval landings and opened a vital second aerial front against the Third Reich, bombing critical oil and transportation targets with great effectiveness. The first full examination of the Mediterranean theater in these critical roles—as a strategic and tactical testing ground for the Allies and as a vital theater of operations in its own right—The Mediterranean Air War fills in a long-missing but vital dimension of the history of World War II.