Alan Cooper writes about an operation which at the time and ever since has captured the imagination of many - the attack of the German dams in May 1943. This book presents a history of one of the most successful operations of World War II carried out by the famous 617 Squadron led by Guy Gibson. This account includes the whole lead-up to the final mission, the development of the bouncing bomb, the forming of 617 Squadron and the intense course of training carried out to make the operation a success. The raid itself is viewed from both British and German camps; many of the aircrew who took part in 617 operations give their accounts, as do several Germans, including Albert Speer, the German armaments minister.

The men who breached the dams: 617 Squadron "the Dambusters"

COOPER, Alan W.

William Kimber & Co. Ltd.

Beyond the dams to the Tirpitz: The later operations of 617 Squadron

W. Kimber

1st edition William Kimber 1986 hardcover as new fine in fine dw condition. In stock shipped from our UK warehouse

In action with the enemy: the holders of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)

Engineering & Transportation

Engineering

Kimber

Free to fight again: RAF escapes and evasions, 1940-45

William Kimber

First published to acclaim in 1992, this book deals with the exploits of Bomber Command during their offensive against German Industry in the Ruhr during World War II. The author begins by describing the role of Bomber Command and goes on to define the Ruhr area and its great importance in terms of industrial output to the Germans. The author provides the statistics for bombers dispatched, the number, which actually got to the targets and those, which never made it for one reason or another. Air Battle of the Ruhr is a complete overview of a major aspect of the air war against mainland Germany – a subject that has rarely been dealt with in such depth. This book fills in an important gap in the history of the Royal Air Force.

Air Battle of the Ruhr: RAF Offensive March - July 1943

History

Military

Pen and Sword Aviation

First published to acclaim in 1983, this book is set to impact upon the book-buying public, eager for accounts of this period of World War history. Relaying the later operations of 617 Squadron, this book steers away from typical accounts of the group, which dwell on this predominant feature of their service history. 617 Squadron carried some of the most outstanding exploits of the air war out, after they had executed their famous Dam's Raid in May 1943. These included special low-flying attacks on canals, factories, rocket sites, viaducts, and, of course, the attack on the German battleship Tirpitz. The standard set to serve in 617 Squadron is shown in the success of such operations. They were led firstly by Wing Commander Bruce Gibson, who set this standard, followed by Squadron Leader Mick Martin, and the incomparable Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire, who developed the accuracy of marking and bombing to a very high degree. He in turn was succeeded by Wing Commander Willie Tait who led all three attacks on the Tirpitz, and from then on was known as 'Tirpitz' Tait. All the leaders of the Squadron were outstanding airmen, each having more than a hundred operations to his credit. This book is a timely reminder that there was a lot more to the Squadron's history than their exploits on the Dams.

Beyond the Dams to the Tirpitz: The Later Operations of the 617 Squadron

First published to acclaim in 1985, this book is set to be a timely release, in line with the 70th Anniversary of the outset of the Raids, near approaching in November 2013. Berlin itself was 'the Big City'. It was deep in the heart of Germany and heavily defended with flak and night fighters, not only because it was the administrative capital but also because it was vital for the German war production machine. Heavy losses could be expected on any raid to Berlin. So when the curtain was swept back on the briefing map to reveal the red ribbon stretching towards Berlin there was added tension for the bomber crews. Between November 1943 and March 1944, Berlin was the target no less than sixteen times. 9,112 sorties were flown and 495 aircraft were lost. As in his previous books, Alan Cooper has painstakingly researched all the details of the raids, telling the stories of individual crews who flew on them, of those who returned safely and those who were shot down, becoming POWs or evading capture, either returning to the UK or remaining at large in occupied Europe. He tells of the heroism of the pilots and crews grappling with heavily -loaded bombers against night fighters, often nursing stricken aircraft back to base, with many failing to return. Acclaim for Bombers Over Berlin: “What makes this book so remarkable and interesting is its anthology of short but graphic accounts of the trials and tribulations of the dozens of bomber crews involved...Bombers Over Berlin is unique in its compilations of such a large number of personal anecdotes covering the hazards of sustained fighter and flak attacks...a thoroughly well researched chronicle” Ken Batchelor, former Chairman of the Bomber Command Association.

Bombers Over Berlin: The RAF Offensive November 1943 - March 1944

First published to acclaim in 1982, this was author Alan Cooper's first publication before he went on to become a prolific writer of aviation history. As we approach the 70th Anniversary of the Dam Buster Raids, this re-print will make a timely addition to the library of any enthusiast wishing to mark the occasion, and any curious readers who wish to expand their knowledge of this key operation in World War II history. Painstaking research went into every aspect of an operation, which at the time and ever since has captured the imagination of the world. This forms an evocative history of one of the most successful operations of the Second World War carried out by the famous 617 Squadron and led by Guy Gibson. This account includes the whole lead up to the final mission; the development of the bouncing bomb, the forming of 617 Squadron and the intense course of training carried out to make the operation a success. The raid itself is viewed from both British and German camps; many of the aircrew who took part in 617 operations give their accounts, as do several Germans, including Albert Speer, the Armaments minister. There is a remarkable eyewitness account of the raid from a man who was a gunner on the Mohne dam itself, telling of the damage after the raid and how he and his companions shot down one of the attacking aircraft. The investigation is completed by an in-depth study into the effects of the operation, how far it proved successful and the true extent of the devastation it caused. Overall, the book recreates the excitement and aura of danger and uncertainty, which surrounded the Dam busters' mission, giving the reader the full story of one of the greatest episodes of the war. 'A fascinating record which will be difficult to better' – Group Captain W.S.O. Randle, Aerospace

The Men Who Breached the Dams: 617 Squadron ‘The Dambusters’

Over sixty years ago, a battle took place that, if it had succeeded, could have shortened the Second World war by six months. The operation to take the bridges at Arnhem was given the code name 'Operation Market Garden', Market being the airside of the operation and Garden the subsequent ground operation. The main problem was communications between the ground forces and the resupply aircraft of the Royal Air Force. It is their efforts and the courage on evident display at Arnhem that the book is based upon. Over a period of seven days troops of the 1st Airborne were taken by the RAF in towed gliders and then in subsequent days showed courage of the highest order to make sure that the ground troops were supplied with ammunition and food to sustain them in their efforts to take the bridges at Arnhem. Their efforts were costly, 309 aircrew and 79 Air Dispatchers were killed and 107 aircraft, which included the men and aircraft that supported the main resupply armada. One of the resupply aircraft, flown by F/Lt David Lord DFC, was shot down. Lord was later awarded the Victoria Cross. His courage and dedication are exemplary of the efforts of the men of Transport Command to make sure the men on the ground were resupplied. The men of the Air Dispatchers or AD's as they were known, must always be remembered when regarding Arnhem. Their efforts to make sure the supplies were released from the aircraft, and on to the besieged men on the ground, was a vital factor in getting vital supplies to the troops successfully. This is their story, vividly told, and serves a commemorative purpose, memorializing both the events and, most importantly, the men who participated.

Air Battle for Arnhem

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Seventy years ago, 133 airmen of 617 Squadron, later known as the Dambusters, set out to destroy the Ruhr Dams in Germany. This one operation amongst many carried out by Bomber Command has become one of the most well known in the whole history of WWII. Indeed, a very successful film was made about it, which became a classic, etching the dramatic events of the Dambuster raids in the minds of young and old alike. The book covers every facet of this enthralling episode.It also works as a poignant tribute to the 53 men who were killed on the operation, as well as the men who returned from the operation but were later killed on further sorties with 617 and other squadrons. Cooper brings together various narrative threads, focusing on stories recorded in document form and acquired on a first-hand basis to give a real insight into the daily operations of the squadron.

The Dam Buster Raid: A Reappraisal, 70 Years On

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Books by COOPER, Alan W.