Night Duel Over Germany: Bomber Command's Battle Over the Reich During WWII
Bomber Commands night offensive against Nazi Germany, which lasted for nearly six years, was one of Britains major contributions to the Allied effort during the Second World War. But the decision to conduct its main operations at night only came about following heavy losses by day, when its pre-war medium bombers had been found lacking in modern air warfare. The Luftwaffe, too, had its early problems. Initially without a dedicated night fighter, it was ill-equipped to defend the Reich, and so the stage was set for what would become one of the most critical strategic encounters of the war.

Things had to change on both sides. Soon there came new and more capable aircraft, in ever-increasing numbers, coupled with new tactics and technology, as each side strove to gain the upper hand. It became a fascinating encounter between the crews of Bomber Command and the Luftwaffes night fighter force, the Nachtjagd, with no shortage of courage and heavy losses on both sides. Amongst the epic encounters were Bomber Commands Thousand Bomber raids, the attack on the German V-weapons research establishment at Peenemnde, the campaigns against the industrial Ruhr, Hamburg and Berlin, and the disastrous raid on Nuremberg.

This new publication consolidates accounts from both sides and from all ranks of service in an effort to provide a comprehensive account of some of the most ferocious nocturnal engagements of the Second World War.
"1124484749"
Night Duel Over Germany: Bomber Command's Battle Over the Reich During WWII
Bomber Commands night offensive against Nazi Germany, which lasted for nearly six years, was one of Britains major contributions to the Allied effort during the Second World War. But the decision to conduct its main operations at night only came about following heavy losses by day, when its pre-war medium bombers had been found lacking in modern air warfare. The Luftwaffe, too, had its early problems. Initially without a dedicated night fighter, it was ill-equipped to defend the Reich, and so the stage was set for what would become one of the most critical strategic encounters of the war.

Things had to change on both sides. Soon there came new and more capable aircraft, in ever-increasing numbers, coupled with new tactics and technology, as each side strove to gain the upper hand. It became a fascinating encounter between the crews of Bomber Command and the Luftwaffes night fighter force, the Nachtjagd, with no shortage of courage and heavy losses on both sides. Amongst the epic encounters were Bomber Commands Thousand Bomber raids, the attack on the German V-weapons research establishment at Peenemnde, the campaigns against the industrial Ruhr, Hamburg and Berlin, and the disastrous raid on Nuremberg.

This new publication consolidates accounts from both sides and from all ranks of service in an effort to provide a comprehensive account of some of the most ferocious nocturnal engagements of the Second World War.
29.95 Pre Order
Night Duel Over Germany: Bomber Command's Battle Over the Reich During WWII

Night Duel Over Germany: Bomber Command's Battle Over the Reich During WWII

by Peter Jacobs
Night Duel Over Germany: Bomber Command's Battle Over the Reich During WWII

Night Duel Over Germany: Bomber Command's Battle Over the Reich During WWII

by Peter Jacobs

Paperback

$29.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
    Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on December 30, 2024
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Store Pickup available after publication date.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Bomber Commands night offensive against Nazi Germany, which lasted for nearly six years, was one of Britains major contributions to the Allied effort during the Second World War. But the decision to conduct its main operations at night only came about following heavy losses by day, when its pre-war medium bombers had been found lacking in modern air warfare. The Luftwaffe, too, had its early problems. Initially without a dedicated night fighter, it was ill-equipped to defend the Reich, and so the stage was set for what would become one of the most critical strategic encounters of the war.

Things had to change on both sides. Soon there came new and more capable aircraft, in ever-increasing numbers, coupled with new tactics and technology, as each side strove to gain the upper hand. It became a fascinating encounter between the crews of Bomber Command and the Luftwaffes night fighter force, the Nachtjagd, with no shortage of courage and heavy losses on both sides. Amongst the epic encounters were Bomber Commands Thousand Bomber raids, the attack on the German V-weapons research establishment at Peenemnde, the campaigns against the industrial Ruhr, Hamburg and Berlin, and the disastrous raid on Nuremberg.

This new publication consolidates accounts from both sides and from all ranks of service in an effort to provide a comprehensive account of some of the most ferocious nocturnal engagements of the Second World War.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781399075336
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 12/30/2024
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.25(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Jacobs served nearly 37 years in the RAF (1977-2013) as an air defence navigator, initially on the F4 Phantom and later on the Tornado F3. He has written twenty books including Daring Raids of World War Two: Heroic Land, Sea and Air Attacks (2015); Bomber Command: Airfields of Lincolnshire (2016) and The RAF in 100 Objects (2017).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Introduction ix

Chapter 1 Only Owls and Fools Fly at Night 1

Chapter 2 Defending the Reich 11

Chapter 3 Taking the Offensive to Germany 18

Chapter 4 The Nachtjagd Hits Back 22

Chapter 5 Enter the Heavyweights 30

Chapter 6 A Turning Point 40

Chapter 7 One Thousand Bombers 51

Chapter 8 Pathfinders 63

Chapter 9 Duel at Night 76

Chapter 10 The Ruhr 84

Chapter 11 Gathering Pace 97

Chapter 12 More Precision Required 108

Chapter 13 Road to Berlin 116

Chapter 14 The Big City 131

Chapter 15 Disastrous Night 162

Chapter 16 Road to Victory 170

Chapter 17 Final Defence of the Reich 177

Chapter 18 To the Bitter End 187

Bibliography 202

Index 204

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews