Vickers Wellington Units of Bomber Command

Vickers Wellington Units of Bomber Command PDF

Author: Michael Napier

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2020-07-23

Total Pages: 97

ISBN-13: 1472840739

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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 4 September 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 However, after suffering high losses on follow-up raids, Wellingtons were withdrawn from daytime missions and began to operate at night from May 1940.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 the Germany's invasion fleet being assembled in French Channel ports. When RAF's strike force expanded the next year following the introduction of the improved Wellington II, the 21 squadrons equipped with the Vickers aircraft, which included Polish-, Canadian- and Australian-manned units, formed the backbone of the Bomber Command night bombing force. Over the next two years Wellingtons participated in all the major operations by Bomber Command, including the daylight raid against German battleships in Brest harbour in July 1942 and the first three 'Thousand Bomber' raids in the summer of 1942. This illustrated study explores the design, development, and deployment of the Vickers-Wellington type, charting its role in World War II from its earliest missions to its use in training after its withdrawal from frontline bomber missions in 1943. The text is supported by stunning full-colour artwork.

The Wellington Bomber Story

The Wellington Bomber Story PDF

Author: Martin W. Bowman

Publisher:

Published: 2010-04

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 9780752464169

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The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine, long range medium bomber, universally known as the ‘Wimpy’. The only bomber in construction throughout the Second World War, the Wellington played a pivotal role in training and combat from its conception in the 1930s, through active service in the Far Eastern, Mediterranean and German arenas of conflict, until its final use by the RAF in 1953.This book follows the fascinating story of the much-loved and innovatively designed Wellington throughout its life, including many tales from the aircraft’s years with Bomber Command. Illustrated with a wide selection of images, both colour and black and white, this book is a fitting tribute to a wonderful servant of the RAF.

The Wellington Bomber

The Wellington Bomber PDF

Author: Martin W Bowman

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2015-02-28

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 1783831766

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The Wellington Bomber was omnipresent during the Second World War, employed in a variety of contexts in the fight against the Axis powers. The pilots who flew this aircraft did so with an immense amount of pride, and there is perhaps no-one better placed to tell the story of this incredible aircraft than these men. Martin Bowman has drawn together a selection of first-hand pilot testimonies in an effort to record authentically the experience of flying the much-mythologised Wellington during one of the most challenging eras of aviation history. The book is supplemented by two plate sections of stirring black and white images.

From the Ruhr to the Rhine

From the Ruhr to the Rhine PDF

Author: Steve Holmes

Publisher: Aviation Books Limited

Published: 2023-10-02

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781915335302

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No.196 Squadron was reformed at RAF Driffield, Yorkshire, on November 7th 1942, as a night bomber unit in No. 4 Group, RAF Bomber Command. The squadron was initially equipped with the sturdy and reliable Vickers Wellington Mk.X. From the outset, the squadron was heavily committed to attacks on the German U-Boat pens on the French coast. Operating almost continuously during the Battle of the Ruhr, the squadron suffered grievous losses in men and aircraft. In July 1943, the Squadron transferred to No.3 Group and started conversion to the Short Stirling Mk.III, operating from the newly opened RAF Witchford, and soon became heavily engaged in Bomber Commands' autumn and early winter campaigns. With increased activity over German targets and revitalised German defences, the losses suffered by 196 Squadron, along with the Group's other Short Stirling equipped squadrons, steadily reached unacceptable levels. In November 1943, despite having proved itself repeatedly, No.196 was unceremoniously transferred to No.38 Group, much against the aircrew's wishes. This book recalls the achievements of a squadron that quietly fought a life-and-death battle over occupied Europe and Germany, almost unknown outside the parent group.

Lancaster Squadrons 1942–43

Lancaster Squadrons 1942–43 PDF

Author: Jon Lake

Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Published: 2002-05-25

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781841763132

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Osprey's study of the RAF's most successful heavy bomber of World War II (1939-1945). The Avro Lancaster formed the backbone of Bomber Command during the large-scale night bombing campaign against occupied Europe. In this, the first of two volumes on the British bomber icon of World War 2, noted English aviation historian Jon Lake recounts the early daylight raids, the first 'thousand bomber' raids on Germany and the epic 'Dambusters' mission of 16/17 May 1943 by No 617 Sqn, as well as myriad other sorties to numerous German targets in 1942-43. This volume contains more than 100 photographs, 30 all-new colour profiles by leading aviation artist Chris Davey and specially commissioned scale drawings of the Lancaster B I/II by Mark Styling.

Bombers over Sand and Snow

Bombers over Sand and Snow PDF

Author: Alun Granfield

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2011-10-05

Total Pages: 323

ISBN-13: 1844687082

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205 Group RAF provided the only mobile force of heavy night bombers in the Mediterranean theater in the Second World War. It operated mainly from bases in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Italy, with occasional excursions to Malta, Greece and Iraq, attacking tactical and strategic targets according to the demands of the wider war in the theater. The force was relatively small when compared with the numbers of aircraft available to Bomber Command in the Western European theater, and it carried on using the venerable Vickers Wellington long after this aircraft had been relegated to the training role in the United Kingdom.Like their UK-based counterparts the night bombers were intended to operate in a strategic role, bombing targets away from the immediate battlefront. However, the demands of the war in the Middle East and Mediterranean soon diverted the bombers from their strategic role and saw them operating much closer to the front line in support of the hard pressed ground forces.The bomber squadrons in North Africa usually operated from Advanced Landing Grounds scraped out of the bare desert, with only a few tents for shelter. In Italy they did have more or less permanent bases, but they still lived in tents (if they were lucky) often surrounded by a sea of mud. There were no pubs, often no beer, and the only contact with their families were the eagerly awaited letters from home. Also the squadrons in England did not have Rommel continually knocking on their door. Thus, the operations of the night bombers in the Middle East and Mediterranean were often governed by the general progress of the war in the theater. The ebb and flow of the land battles not only determined the activities of the night bombers, but also determined their location. This book tells their story.

Vickers Wellington

Vickers Wellington PDF

Author: Philip Birtles

Publisher: Fonthill Media

Published: 2022-07-02

Total Pages: 282

ISBN-13:

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• The ‘Wimpy’ bore the brunt of the Bomber Command offensive against Germany, making up some 60 percent of the first 1,000 bomber raid on 30 May 1942 • Its robust and revolutionary construction devised by Barnes Wallis saved numerous aircraft and lives throughout night bombing raids • Beautifully illustrated with many rare and unpublished photographs • Of interest to aviation and military historians, modellers, gamers and flight simulator enthusiasts Vickers Wellington covers the design, development, production and operational service of the iconic Vickers Wellington from before the Second World War through to the 1950s. The aircraft and crews served with great distinction from the start to the end of the Second World War despite heavy losses. The aircraft was operated by Bomber Command until replaced by the bigger four-engine heavy bombers and played a major part in the Mediterranean Theatre. Its versatility was shown with maritime operations against the U-boat threat. It was also used for transport and the hazards of aircrew training. Its geodetic construction, developed from the airship era, made it rugged and capable of absorbing battle damage bring its crews home safely from combat over hostile territory. Illustrated with 211 images, this volume is the definitive history of one of Britain’s most significant aircraft.

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