The Night Hunter's Prey: The Lives and Deaths of an RAF Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot
This is the story of two airmen – an RAF Rear Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot.

Alexander Ollar was raised in the Highlands of Scotland. He became an exceptional sporting shot and volunteered as an RAF Air Gunner in 1939. Helmut Lent enrolled for pilot training in the Luftwaffe as soon as he was old enough. Both were men of integrity and honor.

Alec completed his first tour of 34 operations with 115 Squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal by the King. After a year as an instructor, Alec was commissioned and returned to 115 Squadron as Gunnery Leader. He took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid and is described by his Squadron Commander as the best rear gunner he has ever flown with.

At the same time Helmut was building up an impressive score of victories as a night fighter pilot and a national hero who was decorated by the Führer.

In July 1942, just as both men reach the apex of their careers, they meet for the first time in the night skies over Hamburg. As this fascinating book reveals, only one will survive.
"1132219416"
The Night Hunter's Prey: The Lives and Deaths of an RAF Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot
This is the story of two airmen – an RAF Rear Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot.

Alexander Ollar was raised in the Highlands of Scotland. He became an exceptional sporting shot and volunteered as an RAF Air Gunner in 1939. Helmut Lent enrolled for pilot training in the Luftwaffe as soon as he was old enough. Both were men of integrity and honor.

Alec completed his first tour of 34 operations with 115 Squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal by the King. After a year as an instructor, Alec was commissioned and returned to 115 Squadron as Gunnery Leader. He took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid and is described by his Squadron Commander as the best rear gunner he has ever flown with.

At the same time Helmut was building up an impressive score of victories as a night fighter pilot and a national hero who was decorated by the Führer.

In July 1942, just as both men reach the apex of their careers, they meet for the first time in the night skies over Hamburg. As this fascinating book reveals, only one will survive.
39.95 In Stock
The Night Hunter's Prey: The Lives and Deaths of an RAF Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot

The Night Hunter's Prey: The Lives and Deaths of an RAF Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot

by Iain Gordon Carmichael
The Night Hunter's Prey: The Lives and Deaths of an RAF Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot

The Night Hunter's Prey: The Lives and Deaths of an RAF Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot

by Iain Gordon Carmichael

Hardcover

$39.95 
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Overview

This is the story of two airmen – an RAF Rear Gunner and a Luftwaffe Pilot.

Alexander Ollar was raised in the Highlands of Scotland. He became an exceptional sporting shot and volunteered as an RAF Air Gunner in 1939. Helmut Lent enrolled for pilot training in the Luftwaffe as soon as he was old enough. Both were men of integrity and honor.

Alec completed his first tour of 34 operations with 115 Squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal by the King. After a year as an instructor, Alec was commissioned and returned to 115 Squadron as Gunnery Leader. He took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid and is described by his Squadron Commander as the best rear gunner he has ever flown with.

At the same time Helmut was building up an impressive score of victories as a night fighter pilot and a national hero who was decorated by the Führer.

In July 1942, just as both men reach the apex of their careers, they meet for the first time in the night skies over Hamburg. As this fascinating book reveals, only one will survive.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781473882508
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 12/06/2016
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 3.60(d)

About the Author

Iain Gordon founded and ran for 30 years a specialist publishing house producing periodicals for Army garrisons and establishments in conjunction with being Managing Director of an established Scottish weekly newspaper. He regularly writes articles on military history and speaks at academic symposia in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations 6

Equivalent Service Ranks 10

Prologue 11

1 'One of the Boys' 17

2 Early Days 36

3 First Blood 52

4 'The Boys who bombed Berlin' 69

5 'Two Birds dead in the Air' 97

6 Instructor 98

7 Rise of the Nachtjagd 117

8 Area Bombing 130

9 The First 1,000 Bomber Raid 145

10 Showdown 159

11 High Noon of the Nachtjagd 178

12 Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds 195

13 Aftermath 204

Epilogue 226

Appendices

A RAF Bomber Airfields 246

B USAAF Bomber Airfields 248

c Nachtjagd Structure 250

D Vickers Wellington Mk III 252

E Messerschmitt Bf 110 F 254

Index 256

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