Dam Busters: The True Story of the Inventors and Airmen Who Led the Devastating Raid to Smash the German Dams in 1943 - Hardcover

Holland, James

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802121691 ISBN 13: 9780802121691

Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2013

Synopsis

The story of the British-made bombs, Upkeep and Highball, successfully dropped on Nazi dams "has never been told in such depth before" (Daily Mail, UK).

The night of May 16, 1943: Nineteen specially adapted Lancaster bombers take off from an RAF airfield in Lincolnshire, England, each with a huge nine-thousand-pound cylindrical bomb strapped underneath it. Their mission: to destroy three hydroelectric dams that power the Third Reich's war machine.

It was a suicide mission from the outset. First the men had to fly extremely low, at night, and in tight formation over miles of enemy-occupied territory. Then they had to drop with pinpoint precision a complicated spinning cylindrical bomb that had never before been used operationally. More than that, the entire operation had to be put together in less than ten weeks in order to hit the dams when water levels were still high enough for the bombs to be effective.

The visionary aviation engineer Barnes Wallis hadn't even drawn up plans for his concept when the bouncing bomb was green-lighted. What followed was an incredible race against time that, despite numerous setbacks, became one of the most successful and significant bombing raids of all time. "Holland has delved into the new trove" of declassified documents "to shed light on this weapons program, the politics of its development and the eventual mission" (The Wall Street Journal).

"An impeccably researched work in the style of a fast-paced techno-thriller." —Publishers Weekly

"Extremely detailed but never dull . . . Holland offers a definitive, nuts-and-bolts history." —Kirkus Reviews

"A well-written study of engineering and invention operating under great pressure. . . . For all World War II history buffs." —Library Journal, starred review

About this title

About the Author

James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. A member of the British Commission for Military History and the Guild of Battlefield Guides, he also regularly contributes reviews and articles in newspapers and magazines and appears on radio. His books include Fortress Malta, Italy's Sorrow, The Battle of Britain and his fictional World War II series featuring Sergeant Jack Tanner. He lives near Salisbury with his wife, son and daughter.

Reviews

Decisive military missions are sometimes the brainchilds of scientists and engineers instead of generals. The destruction of Germany's hydroelectric dams by the Royal Air Force in 1943 was one such decisive mission. Veteran military historian Holland (The Battle of Britain) has composed an impeccably researched work in the style of a fast-paced techno-thriller. Part one centers on the campaign of British aircraft designer Barnes Wallis to bring to the attention of military planners his ideas regarding bombing of German dams, despite the furious opposition of Air Marshal Arthur Harris, leader of Britain's Bomber Command. When the plan was finally approved, the various players had only eight weeks to produce the necessary new equipment, train, and execute the mission. This process is the subject of part two of Holland's book. The third part follows the 19 RAF bombers on their dangerous low-altitude night mission against the dams—a mission many didn't not survive. Holland offers an authoritative account of a brilliant military operation conceived by a creative civilian; an excellent read for those with an interest in military and aviation history. (Nov.)

A sensational air raid of WWII was a British attack on German dams. Ever since, it has inspired histories, the still-popular movie The Dam Busters, and a yet-to-be released remake by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. Holland’s title comprehensively spans the story, from the genesis of the idea to the postraid fates of the participants. The brainchild of a British engineer, the intention was to hamper German war production by skipping mines across reservoirs into hydroelectric dams. It may sound simple but was not because the plan involved releasing the weapons from low-flying Lancaster airplanes at night. The technical intricacies command much of Holland’s attention. He explains the mechanical experiments conducted by Barnes Wallis, the engineer, and the training of the raiding squadron, led by Guy Gibson. After detailing how the raid was approved within the RAF, Holland releases the main act, a white-knuckle, minute-by-minute account of the raid. Opinions vary about the attack’s effectiveness but not about the air crews’ courageous heroism, Holland’s evocation of which WWII readers will appreciate. --Gilbert Taylor

Edition details

• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802121691
• ISBN 13: 9780802121691
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 464