Bomber Command

Author: Max Hastings
Publisher: Simon & Schuster NY
Edition: First
Cover: Soft
ISBN: 0-671-68070-6
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Synopsis: This comprehensive study examines the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command during World War II, providing detailed analysis of the organization, operations, and impact of Britain's strategic bombing force. While focusing primarily on British operations, the book includes extensive coverage of cooperation with American forces and the development of combined bombing strategies that ultimately devastated Nazi Germany's war-making capacity. The narrative begins with the pre-war development of British strategic bombing doctrine and the aircraft designed to implement it, including early twin-engine bombers that proved inadequate for sustained operations over heavily defended territory. The work traces the evolution of Bomber Command from its tentative early raids to the massive thousand-bomber operations that characterized the final years of the war. Leadership changes within Bomber Command receive detailed attention, particularly the appointment of Air Marshal Arthur Harris and his controversial advocacy for area bombing campaigns against German cities. The book examines the technological innovations that improved bomber effectiveness, including the development of advanced navigation systems, radar devices, and electronic countermeasures designed to overcome German defenses. Aircraft development is thoroughly documented, from the early Wellington and Whitley bombers through the magnificent Lancaster that became the backbone of the night bombing offensive. The work includes extensive technical specifications and performance data for all major aircraft types used by Bomber Command throughout the war. Operational procedures are detailed, showing how target selection, route planning, and timing were coordinated to maximize effectiveness while minimizing losses to German night fighters and anti-aircraft defenses. The book provides comprehensive coverage of major bombing campaigns, including the devastating attacks on Hamburg, the controversial bombing of Dresden, and the systematic destruction of German synthetic fuel production facilities. Crew training programs receive significant attention, showing how Bomber Command prepared thousands of aircrew for the dangerous missions over enemy territory. The work includes extensive coverage of the Commonwealth aircrew who served with Bomber Command, including Canadians, Australians, and others who made vital contributions to the bombing offensive. The human cost of bomber operations is honestly portrayed, including the staggering loss rates experienced during certain periods and the psychological toll on surviving crew members. Post-war assessment of Bomber Command's effectiveness includes both criticism and praise for the controversial strategic bombing campaign. The book concludes with an examination of Bomber Command's legacy and its influence on subsequent air warfare doctrine.

Bomber Command, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.