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Description
Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 9781909166127 |
| ISBN-10 | 190916612X |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( square back binding ) |
| Special Features | • Dust jacket |
| Condition | Good |
| Author(s) | Christopher Shores, Giovanni Massimello, Russell Guest, Frank Olynyk, Winfried Bock |
| Publisher | Grub Street |
| Number of pages | 736 |
| Published date | 2012 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Collection / Series | A HISTORY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AIR WAR 1940-1945 |
| Size | 17,5 x 25 x 4,5 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • AVIATION MILITAIRE • GUERRES - BATAILLES |
Description
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. It covers the lull prior to the disastrous defeat of the 8th Army in June 1942 and the loss of the port and fortress of Tobruk. The costly efforts of the Allied air forces to protect the retreating British and Commonwealth troops and stop 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 by the first units of the United States Army Air Force, the Allied air forces began to achieve an ascendancy over those of the Axis. The long pursuit of the Italo-German forces 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 to be achieved. In this volume follow the fortunes 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 forms the main narrative, 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. Volume Three will cover the battle for Tunisia, November 1942-13 May 1943.
