In the early years of WW2 two of Britain's most important industrial cities, Liverpool and Manchester were woefully unprotected from enemy bombing raids. Once the capitulation of France had occurred after Dunkirk, the Luftwaffe was able to base its vast bomber fleet at forward airfields that brought these strategic targets within their range. The effect was catastrophic and the two cities and surrounding industrial centres bore the brunt of the Nazi airborne blitz. It was clear that more anti-aircraft guns and fighter aircraft were desperately required to stop the slaughter of the population and vital industries. Thus was conceived 9 Group of the Royal Air Force, charged with the air defence of the entire region. This book relates how 9 Group was formed and the immense difficulties involved - due to shortages of suitable aircraft, guns and operational infrastructure. Fought mostly at night during a period when night-fighter tactics were in their infancy and inexperienced aircrew were having to fly over difficult dangerous terrain and in appalling weather conditions resulting in a high casualty rate. Eventually things improved and the Squadrons within 9 Group started to bring down significant numbers of raiding bombers whether they approached from the East or took advantage of neutral Ireland's street lights to guide them via the Irish Sea to their intended targets.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
ISBN-13
9781844152964
eBay Product ID (ePID)
96687441
Product Key Features
Author
Joe Bamford, Ron Collier
Publication Name
Eyes of the Night: Air Defence of North-Western England 1940-41
Format
Hardcover
Language
English
Subject
Government, History
Publication Year
2005
Type
Textbook
Number of Pages
224 Pages
Additional Product Features
Title_Author
Ron Collier, Joe Bamford
Country/Region of Manufacture
United Kingdom
Best Selling in Adult Learning & University
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Adult Learning & University