The night of May 16th,1943. Nineteen specially adapted Lancaster bombers take off from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire,each with a huge 9,000lb cylindrical bomb strapped underneath it. Their mission: to destroy three dams deep within the German heartland,which provide the lifeblood to the industries supplying the Third Reich's war machine.From the outset it was an almost impossible task,a suicide mission: to fly low and at night in formationover many miles of enemy-occupied territory at the very limit of the Lancasters'capacity,and drop a new weapon that had never been tried operationally before from a precise height of just sixty feet from the water at some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany.More than that,the entire operation had to be put together in less than ten weeks. When visionary aviation engineer Barnes Wallis's concept of the bouncing bomb was green lighted,he hadn't even drawn up his plans for the weapon that was to smash the dams. What followed was an incredible race against time,which,despite numerous setbacks and against huge odds,became one of the most successful and game-changing bombing raids of all time.
Publisher: Transworld Publishers LtdISBN: 9780552163415Number of pages: 576Weight: 411 gDimensions: 198 x 127 x 35 mm
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In his previous books... Holland combined a lively style with fresh insights based on deep historical research. Those qualities shine through this new accountThough it is such a well-known story,it has never been told in such depth before. James Holland has mastered every detailHolland tells the story with gusto and pace... he has truly and brilliantly plugged an enormous gap
James Holland
James Holland is a British historian,novelist and broadcaster. He specialises in the military encounters of World War II,and his work has drawn plaudits for its humanity. Holland has also written war-related novels for both adults and children.
Visit the James Holland author page
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