A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945 Volume 2: North African Desert, February 1942 - March 1943

Product Description The first volume of this series dealt with the initial 19 months of the air war over the Western Desert of North Africa. This volume picks up the story as the 8th Army, following its hard-fought success in Operation Crusader, was forced back to the Gazala area, roughly mid-way between the Cyrenaican/Tripolitanian border of Libya and the frontier with Egypt. It covers the lull prior to the disastrous defeat of the 8th Army in June 1942 and the loss of the important port and fortress of Tobruk. The costly efforts of the Allied air forces to protect the retreating British and Commonwealth troops and prevent this turning into a rout is examined in depth. So too is the heavy fighting which followed in the El Alamein region as the line was stabilised. This period was ameliorated somewhat for the Western Desert Air Force by the arrival - at last - of the first Spitfires. The build-up of both the army and air force which followed, coupled with new commanders on the ground, meant that Rommel's Deutsche Afrika Korps was defeated at Alam el Halfa at the start of September, and then again, comprehensively, at the climactic battle of El Alamein in October. Joined now by the first units of the United States Army Air Force, the Allied air forces began to achieve a growing ascendency over those of the Axis. The long, rather slow, pursuit of the Italo-German forces right across Libya is recounted, including the capture of Tripoli, followed by the breakthrough into Southern Tunisia at the end of March 1943. This allowed a link-up with the Allied forces in Tunisia (whose story will be related in Volume 3) to be achieved. In this volume follow to the fortunes of some of the great fighter aces of the Desert campaign such as Jochen Marseille and Otto Schulz of the Luftwaffe, Franco Bordoni-Bisleri of the Regia Aeronautica and Neville Duke, Billy Drake and 'Eddie' Edwards of the Commonwealth air forces. While the fighting above the constantly-moving front lines form the main narrative of this book, the Allied and Axis night bombing offensives and the activities of the squadrons co-operating with the naval forces in the Mediterranean are certainly not neglected. Review Here we have a truly superb, meticulous piece of historical research by the authors. There is something deceptive about this weighty tome that almost sneaks up on you as you work your way through it. At first glance I had the impression it would be hard going and dry as a bone. Not a bit of it. This is a well-written and beautifully presented history. The layout is crisp and the amount of detail is immense. The photography, which is essential to a good history, in my opinion, is first rate. The story will expand as future volumes appear. I can't wait! --War History Online

The second volume of this series covers February 1942 to March 1943 and deals with the land-based activities of the Commonwealth, the German, Italian, South African and US air forces. The format is the same as Volume 1, being a diary of events with tables of claims and losses. These enable correlation between what was thought to have been inflicted on the enemy and what was recorded in his records. In 735 pages has amassed a vast amount of research and hundreds of photographs. Many of the latter are new or seldom seen. Although its price is relatively high, the size of this volume does provide the possible contents of two or more books on the subject. It is a valuable addition for the libraries of those with a serious interest in wartime military aviation. --Air-Britain Aeromilitaria The first volume of this series dealt with the initial nineteen months of the air war over the Western Desert of North Africa. This extensive volume picks up the story as the Eighth Army, following its success in Operation Crusader, was forced back to the Gazala area, roughly mid-way between the Cyrenaican/Tripolitanian border of Libya and the frontier with Egypt. It covers the lull prior to the disastro