Description
Book SynopsisThis illustrated study charts the development and combat history of the Vickers Wellington units, the mainstay of the RAF heavy bomber force during the first half of World War II.
The Vickers Wellington was one of very few aircraft types to have been in production and frontline service throughout World War II, and more than 10,000 Wellingtons were built in the period. They took part in the first RAF bombing mission of the conflict when, on September 4, 1939, 14 examples from Nos 9 and 149 Sqns undertook a daring daylight attack on the Kiel Canal. However, after suffering high losses on follow-up raids, Wellingtons were withdrawn from daytime missions and began to operate at night from May 1940. They subsequently took part in raids against the Italian port city of Genoa in July 1940, and against Berlin the following month, followed by key missions in the Battle of the Barges in September and October, as the RAF targeted Germany''s invasion fleet assembled in French Cha
Table of Contents
Introduction 1. Origins and Early Days 2. Into Combat 3. On the Offensive 4. Peak Strength 5. Training Appendices Colour Plates Commentary Index
