The Bomber Command War Diaries, An Operational Reference Book, 1939-1945 (Signed copy)

First edition, first printing. Hardback in dustwrapper. 24 × 16cm, 804pp. This copy has been signed by both authors to a veteran of Bomber Command, "For Les King, D.F.M., who flew as a wireless operator in Bomber Command, 54 operational flights with 101 and 171 (Special Duty) Squadrons. Best wishes, Martin Middlebrook, Chris Everitt." Bomber Command's campaign started on the very first day of the Second World War and ended within a few hours of the final victory in Europe five and a half years later. It was an attempt to win the war in Europe by strategic bombing on such an enormous scale that historians have only recently begun to piece together the finer details of the individual raids. This book not only documents every Bomber Command operation but also contains information from local archives in Germany, Italy and the occupied countries, on the effects of the raids. The book contains much information that had not been previously available. Condition: The book itself is in good condition, with some tanning and spotted foxing to the page edges. The dustwrapper is creased to the edges and spine ends with a little fading, and some spotted foxing to the flaps, but it has not been price-clipped and is now within a protective sleeve.