Spitfire Aces Of North Africa And Italy

Author : Andrew Thomas
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 97 pages
File Size : 49,7 Mb
Release : 2013-02-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781849083447

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Spitfire Aces of North Africa and Italy by Andrew Thomas Pdf

Although most famous for their role in the Battle of Britain, many Spitfire squadrons also served in the Mediterranean theatre, aiding the Allied victories in North Africa and later in the invasion of Italy. Numerous pilots, both Royal Air Force and South African Spitfire squadrons, made ace during these engagements. This book tells their story.

Author : Jerry Scutts
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 182 pages
File Size : 43,6 Mb
Release : 2012-11-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781782006763

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Bf 109 Aces of North Africa and the Mediterranean by Jerry Scutts Pdf

Totally outnumbered throughout their short two-year sojourn in the Western Desert, the crack fighter pilots of the handful of Jagdgeschwader in-theatre fought an effective campaign in support of Rommel's Afrika Korps against the British and American forces. Relying almost exclusively on the Luftwaffe's staple fighter of World War 2, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the battle-hardened aces used the aircraft's superior performance to achieve incredible scores against the Allies. Similarly, once pushed out of North Africa, these units continued to take the fight to the RAF and USAAF from makeshift bases in northern Italy.

Author : Alan McGregor Peart
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
Page : 220 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2012-09-20
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9781909166790

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From North Africa to the Arakan by Alan McGregor Peart Pdf

An ace fighter pilot recounts his experiences fighting the Germans and the Japanese from Malta to Burma in this WWII combat memoir. Born in New Zealand in 1922, Alan Peart always dreamed of becoming a Spitfire pilot. During the Second World War, he volunteered for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and after distinguishing himself in training, joined the elite 610 Squadron. He served in numerous theaters of combat, from Italy and North Africa to India and Burma, where he took part of the Arakan Campaign. Operating from 'Broadway' airstrip, his was the only spitfire not destroyed during air strikes. In this lively account, Peart puts readers in the cockpit as he achieves ace status in heated combat against both German Luftwaffe and the Japanese Army Air Force. He also details the appalling living conditions and the issues the aircrew faced living far from civilization. After miraculously surviving World War II, Peart became president of the Burma Star Veterans association.

Author : Andrew Thomas
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 160 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2013-02-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781472801913

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Spitfire Aces of North Africa and Italy by Andrew Thomas Pdf

Although most famous for their role in the Battle of Britain, many Spitfire squadrons also served in the Mediterranean theatre, aiding the Allied victories in North Africa and later in the invasion of Italy. Numerous pilots, both Royal Air Force and South African Spitfire squadrons, made ace during these engagements. This book tells their story.

Author : Tony Holmes
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 289 pages
File Size : 43,5 Mb
Release : 2021-02-04
Category : History
ISBN : 9781472848529

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World War II Fighter Planes Spotter's Guide by Tony Holmes Pdf

World War II saw pilots from around the world battling in the skies over Europe, Asia and Africa, with victory resting upon their nerve, skill and the capabilities of some of history's most iconic aircraft. In the chaos of battle, it was vital that they could quickly identify friend from foe. But do you know your Hurricane from your Bf 109, or what the legendary P-51 Mustang looks like? Do you know the wingspan of the A6M Zero-sen, or how fast it could fly? THE WORLD WAR II FIGHTER PLANES SPOTTER'S GUIDE answers all of these questions and more, providing essential information on over 90 legendary aircraft, from the celebrated Spitfire to the jet-powered Me 262. Featuring full-colour artwork to aid recognition, as well as all the details you need to assess their performance, this is the perfect pocket guide to the Allied and Axis fighters of World War II.

Author : Wojtek Matusiak
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 97 pages
File Size : 53,8 Mb
Release : 2015-07-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781472808387

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Polish Spitfire Aces by Wojtek Matusiak Pdf

Of all Allied airmen, Polish pilots had had the most experience of fighting the Luftwaffe by the time the war came to Britain. As the Battle of Britain raged, they quickly proved themselves as highly aggressive and skilful interceptors, especially when flying the famous Spitfire. The Polish Air Force eventually became the largest non-Commonwealth Spitfire operator, using some 1,500 Mks I, II, V, IX and XVI to devastating effect. Top scoring USAAF ace of the ETO, Francis "Gabby" Gabreski and a whole host of other Allied and Commonwealth aces flew with Polish squadrons, adding even more to their fighting quality. Conversely, several Polish pilots were attached to other Allied squadrons throughout the war, demonstrating their prowess alongside airmen from a whole host of nations. From an expert on Polish fighter aviation, this is a peerless account of the fiery, talented Polish "Spit" pilots, whose country had been overrun and whose aggression and determination to shoot down Axis aircraft was unmatched.

Author : Philip Lamb
Publisher : Authorhouse UK
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 53,9 Mb
Release : 2022-10-24
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 1665599189

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World War Ii North Africa and Italy 1940 -1945 'One Man's Story' by Philip Lamb Pdf

The book sets out on a journey through enlisting to basic training, and then to war. Then, when RAF 73 Squadron was reformed after Dunkirk at RAF Debden before the Squadron was mobilized and posted to North Africa. The Ground Crew Personnel were transported via troop and naval ships to Alexandria, Egypt. The pilots and Squadron's Hurricanes were transported on HMS Furious to RAF Takoradi (African Gold Coast). The planes then flown across Africa to Heliopolis, Egypt on selected routes where refuelling could be carried out. The book contains several Battles, starting with the sea battle against the Italian fleet at Cape Spartivento 30/11/1940, battles at and for Tobruk 1941 and 1942 and the battles at El Alamein 1942, the final battle which saw the start of the demise of the German/Italian Axis Force. The book makes great use of the RAF Records held at National Archives. RAF 73 & 39 Squadrons Operational Record Reports (AIR's) for 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944, daily records of events as they took place. Also included is the personal diary which my father kept during 1943. The book is embellished with photographs taken along with postcards and tourist attraction photographic information. Finally concluding with a brief history of my father through his career and working life.

Author : Bryn Evans
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 258 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 2014-04-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473834811

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The Decisive Campaigns of the Desert Air Force, 1942–1945 by Bryn Evans Pdf

“Absorbing . . . this is an excellent account of air operations and tactics of the air battles in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Italy.”—Firetrench Compared to the RAF’s Fighter and Bomber Commands, the Desert Air Force (DAF) is far less well known, yet its achievements were spectacular. DAF led the way in North Africa and Italy in pioneering new tactics in close Army-Air Force cooperation on the battlefield; DAF and Allied air forces gave Allied armies in North Africa and Italy a decisive cutting edge. While the Axis forces used the many rivers and mountains of Tunisia and Italy to slow the Allies’ advance, DAF was there to provide that extra mobile firepower—the artillery from the sky. They were the first multinational air force, and the first to introduce air controllers in the front lines of the battlefield. With first-hand accounts by veteran airmen from Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA, this book “tells the previously untold story of how the DAF was the most decisive single factor in winning the three battles of El Alamein, and victory in the North Africa and Italy campaigns” (Yorkshire Evening Post). “A most welcome addition to the historiography of the air aspects of the war in North Africa and the wider Mediterranean . . . [it] will have considerable appeal to a wide ranging readership, but especially those interested in the tactical detail and personal experiences of the airmen involved in the various campaigns.”—British Journal for Military History

Author : Giorgio Apostolo
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 97 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 2012-12-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781782008910

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Italian Aces of World War 2 by Giorgio Apostolo Pdf

Flying aircraft such as the Macchi 200-202, Fiat G.50 and biplane Fiat CR.42, the Italian fighter pilots were recognised by their Allied counterparts as brave opponents blessed with sound flying abilities, but employing under-gunned and underpowered equipment. Following the Italian surrender in September 1943, a number of aces continued to take the fight to the Allies as part of the Luftwaffe-run ANR, which was equipped with far more potent equipment such as the Bf 109G, Macchi 205V and Fiat G.55. Flying these types, the handful of ANR squadrons continued to oppose Allied bombing raids on northern Italy until VE-Day.

Author : Steve Nichols
Publisher : Osprey Publishing
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 40,8 Mb
Release : 2008-09-23
Category : History
ISBN : 1846033055

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Malta Spitfire Aces by Steve Nichols Pdf

The siege of Malta during World War 2 is one of the great epics of aerial warfare. In 1942, it was described alternately as both a 'fighter pilot's paradise' and 'the most bombed place on earth'. During the peak of the Axis efforts against Malta, it suffered 154 consecutive days and nights of bombing, 100 nights more that London suffered during the Blitz. The destruction of Axis convoys by Malta-based aircraft proved to be one of the decisive factors in the defeat of Rommel's forces in North Africa. This vital position would have been lost if it had not been for the successful defence of the island by a handful of greatly outnumbered Royal Air Force fighter squadrons. In the brutal and unforgiving air war over Malta only the very best fighter pilots succeeded, and all too often that was no guarantee of living another day. This book details the heroic story of the Spitfire Aces based on Malta. Drawn from an international team of Australians, British, Canadians, New Zealanders, Rhodesians and South Africans these pilots fought against extreme deprivation, physical hardships and overwhelming odds in one of the most crucial and decisive air battles of World War II.

Author : Jon Sutherland,Diane Canwell
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
Page : 207 pages
File Size : 41,5 Mb
Release : 2009-06-25
Category : History
ISBN : 9781844688043

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Air War in East Africa, 1940–41 by Jon Sutherland,Diane Canwell Pdf

This little known campaign against the Italian invasion of British Somalia was bravely fought by a small force of elderly RAF and Commonwealth aircraft against almost overwhelming odds. This, against a backdrop of Britains meager assets being in demand in the much more prominent and important theatres such as Egypt and, of course, at home during the height of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.The history starts with the Italians use of airpower and gas against the spear-armed Abbysinnians in 1936. In August 1940 the Italians attacked and overwhelmed British Somalia and under air cover the British evacuated to Aden. The Allies fought many air battles with the better equipped invaders and flew dangerous reconnaissance missions in preparation for the major offensives in 1941.On the Northern Front, the first phases see aggressive air patrols and Allied reinforcements arriving from Egypt. They attacked towards Agordat pushing deep into Eritrea from the Sudan. Meanwhile to the south the South African Air Force and ground forces attacked into Italian Somalia during January and February 1941. In March the allies attacked Keren and the Italians finally surrendered. The final allied air strikes against Asmara and Massawa led to the final collapse of Italian resistance in May 1941. The campaign in Ethiopia saw General Cunningham's force advances 1,725 miles from Kenya in 53 days to reach the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and liberating it on April 6 1941. However, the conflict was still not over there was continued resistance from 7,000 Italian troops and air operations continued against them until their surrender in September 1943.The book includes the experiences of the men who flew the outdated aircraft of the RAF and the SAAF in the campaign and includes many quotes and incidents from both Allied and Italian pilots.

Author : Christopher Shores,Clive Williams
Publisher : Grub Street Publishing
Page : 736 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2008-07-15
Category : History
ISBN : 9781898697008

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Aces High by Christopher Shores,Clive Williams Pdf

A revised collection of the biographies of the highest scoring Allied fighter pilots of World War II. All details of their combat are arranged in tabular form. Included are a selection of photographs from hitherto private collections.

Author : Alfred Price
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 61 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2000
Category : Fighter pilots
ISBN : 848372331X

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Spitfires Over the Mediterranean & North Africa by Alfred Price Pdf

Author : Andrew Thomas
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 161 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2013-02-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781472801739

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Spitfire Aces of Burma and the Pacific by Andrew Thomas Pdf

The arrival of the Spitfire in Burma came at a crucial time as the RAF struggled against the Japanese to support the Chindit operation on the ground. Proving a huge boost to morale, the Spitfire played a large part in defeating the enemy, and covering the subsequent Allied advance through Burma, protecting the ground troops and providing vital supplies. Covering this little documented aerial war, this book tells the stories of the 54 aces who flew against the Japanese, and also those who fought in India and Australia. Full-colour artwork reveals the markings and paint schemes of this most-famous of British planes, whilst first-hand accounts and archive photographs bring the aerial battles of Burma, India and Australia to life.

Author : Jeremy Dixon
Publisher : Pen and Sword Aviation
Page : 322 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2023-09-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781526778673

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Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe by Jeremy Dixon Pdf

The German fighter pilots of the Second World War are among the undoubted heroes of the conflict, their reputation for flying skill, single-minded determination and solitary courage hasn’t diminished or been clouded by controversy over the years. Their daring and commitment, often displayed when, towards the end of the war, they were fighting against the odds, matches that of any of the other air forces they fought against. This detailed, highly illustrated reference book, which covers the exploits of the most famous and successful individuals among them, shows just how effective and undaunted they were. All the Luftwaffe day fighter pilots who flew single-seater aircraft and won the Knight’s Cross during the war are featured. The entries give information about their early lives and pre-war careers and record how many aircraft they shot down, the type of aircraft involved and where and when the combat took place. Included are accounts of particular actions which led to the award of the Knight’s Cross, and the fate of these remarkable pilots later in the war and in the post-war world is described too. Jeremy Dixon’s book will be fascinating reading and reference for anyone who is interested in the aviation history of the Second World War.