Mackay, Ron De Havilland Mosquito. Band 1: The Night-fighter and Fighter Bomber Marques in World War II

This first of two volumes on de Havilland's "Wooden Wonder" covers the night-fighter and fighter-bomber variants of the deadly "Mosquito". The development of the multirole "Mosquito", from its original bomber and photoreconnaissance operational function to that of a night-fighter and fighter-bomber configuration, was initiated by the latent threat of a renewal of the 1940-41 "Blitz." Over the ensuing years of WWII, the Mosquito attacked the enemy with sorties across a 24-hour time span, challenging the German Nachtjagd with aerial interceptions, as well as attacks on Luftwaffe airfields. Pinpoint assaults on specialist targets was another aspect of "Mosquito" fighter-bomber operations, whose destructive effect on the Axis was constantly felt. Also covered are the "Mosquito's" operations with the Fleet Air Arm, as well as postwar use. Part of the "Legends of Warfare. Aviation" series.

In the following years of the Second World War, "Mosquito" squadrons repeatedly carried out attacks on selected targets in the German Reich, forcing the German night fighters to carry out intercept missions. The airfields of the German air force were also among the favourite targets of the "Mosquito" fighter-bombers. Attacks on special targets was another aspect of the Mosquito's mission. Operations as part of the Royal Navy and their continued use after the war are also covered.