Nijboer, Donald/Laurier, Jim (Illustr.)/Hector, Gareth (Illustr.) German Flak Defences vs Allied Heavy Bombers 1942-45

This title offers a detailed look at the crucial but little-acknowledged role of the German heavy flak guns in the defense against allied heavy bombers in World War II. Since the end of World War II, the strategic bombing of Germany has inspired numerous studies, countless books and several documentary films, and it is not surprising. With more than one million tons of bombs dropped, close to 300,000 civilians killed, 700,000 wounded and in excess of 3,500,000 industrial and residential structures destroyed, the Allied bomber offensive was industrial war on a grand scale. The air battle that raged over Germany has often been described as a battle between Allied and German fighters but what has been frequently missed by historians on all sides is the impact of German anti aircraft defenses (flak). Though often dismissed as ineffective and a waste of valuable material and personnel, the German flak arm made a major contribution to the defense of the Third Reich--at least half of the American aircraft shot down over Germany fell to flak, and according to the RAF Official History, it was estimated that flak accounted for 1229 of 3302 aircraft lost by Bomber Command between 1942 and April 1945. Additionally, the strategic role of flak extended beyond simply shooting down aircraft--its other, more important task was to force bombers to drop their ordnance sooner or from a higher altitude, thus reducing bombing accuracy. Both these roles are explored in depth in this detailed study of the German flak defenses and of their adversaries, the Allied heavy bombers. Containing full-color illustrations including cockpit scenes and armament views, this is the definitive guide to the much-overlooked conflict between Allied planes and German anti aircraft defenses.

The air battle that raged over Germany has often been described as a battle between Allied and German bombers and fighters, but what has often been overlooked by historians on all sides is the impact of German ground-based anti-aircraft defences (Flak). While often dismissed as ineffective and a waste of valuable equipment and manpower, German anti-aircraft guns contributed significantly to the defence of the Third Reich - at least half of the American aircraft shot down over Germany fell victim to flak. According to the official history of the Royal Air Force, German air defence on the ground was responsible for 1229 of the 3302 aircraft lost by British Bomber Command between 1942 and April 1945. Furthermore, the strategic role of anti-aircraft defences had grown beyond simply shooting down aircraft. Flak fire forced bombers to drop their bombs earlier or from a higher altitude, reducing the accuracy of area bombing. These two roles are explored in depth in this detailed examination of German anti-aircraft defences and their opponents, the Allied heavy bombers. With full-colour illustrations, including cockpit scenes and weapon views, this is an interesting guide to the much overlooked battle between Allied aircraft and German anti-aircraft defences.