Bombing Germany: The Final Phase: The Destruction of Pforzheim and the Closing Months of Bomber Command's War

Redding, A. C.

ISBN 10: 1473823544 / ISBN 13: 9781473823549

Published by Pen and Sword Aviation, 2015

Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1473823544I3N10

Synopsis:

During 1942 and 1943 the striking power of RAF Bomber Command was transformed by the arrival of heavy bombers, advanced navigation and blind bombing systems, and new tactics to concentrate the bombers over the target and swamp the German defences. By October 1944 most of Germany's cities were in ruins, yet the bombing continued to intensify, reaching unprecedented levels in the final seven months of the air campaign. The value of further area raids was questioned during the opening months of 1945, yet the Allies destroyed the remaining cities in a bid to hasten the end of the war. The handful of German cities still largely unscathed in early February 1945 included Dresden, which was obliterated on 13 February. Ten days later, the South German city of Pforzheim was destined to suffer the same fate.This book commemorates the efforts of the aircrew members who risked their lives, consolidating a host of intriguing first-hand accounts. It also considers Pforzheim as a representative community under National Socialist rule. The city's survivors remember the horror of the raid and its aftermath, including eventual occupation by French Colonial troops and, subsequently, American forces. Tony does an admirable job of presenting historical context when considering actions in times of extreme trauma and his narrative offers an intriguing, engaging and poignant evocation of the closing months of Bomber Command's war.

About the Author: Anthony Redding is a journalist and international specialist in the media aspects of emergency response. He is an aviation historian, with a particular interest in RAF Bomber Command. He is the author of Flying for Freedom: Life and Death in Bomber Command published by Cerberus Publishing in 2005.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Bombing Germany: The Final Phase: The ...
Publisher: Pen and Sword Aviation
Publication Date: 2015
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket