The Bomber Command War Diaries

Almost everything about the 1939-1945 operations of RAF Bomber Command (BC) can be found between the covers of this remarkable book. Every operation by BC from the first day of WWII to the last raid in 1945 is entered in what is a "must have" for any collector of literature covering RAF bomber 'ops," which are recorded here in day-to-day listings of BC's "third of a million sorties; nearly 9000 bomber aircraft destroyed by enemy defences or lost to the hazards of the skies; more than 50,000 airman killed" . These entries are based on BC records which were transferred to the UK Public Records Office in 1971. Where major raids are concerned the account gives brief details of the raid purpose, the number of aircraft involved and losses incurred. "Minor operations" (eg minelaying, leaflet drops, aid for resistance forces, diversion missions and aerial radio counter-measures) follow the main entry. Where available, German records of the extent, casualties and industrial impact of the raid augment the basic information. Major movements in the nature of BC operations and stratagies are dealt with in 21 "chapters" with extended text, examples being The Phony War, Maritime Diversion, Berlin-The Main Battle, Invasion Preparations and Victory. While the diary enties comprise the bulk of the book, latter sections are devoted to Operational Statistics, Operational Performances of Units (a precis on each BC squadron including length of service, raids flown, sorities and losses and points of interest). This is followed bv similar entries relating to the eight BC Groups, with Training Units also briefly covered. Closing pages are occupied by notes on Sources, Bibliography and Acknowledgements, with a comprehensive index closing the text of what can be described as the most integrated account of BC's WWII operations. First printed by Viking in 1985. this Penguin edition in 1990, 804 pages, 55 b/w in-text photographs, double page map of BC targets at front. Pictorial card covers are VG with trace of wear to front edges, corners lightly creased, former owner address label inside front cover, text block otherwise excellent. Book weight is almost 1.5kg unpacked and may require additional postage, particularly for international delivery.