Secret Squadrons of the Eighth

Secret Squadrons of the Eighth PDF Author: Pat Carty
Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing
ISBN: 9780711018815
Category : World War, 1939-1945
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
The first volume in this new series which provides a graphic account of the background, equipment, and the tactics of famous military operations. Many of these operations would see the first use of pioneering new weaponry, equipment or military tactics against an unsuspecting enemy. These fascinating stories will be of interest to military historians, wargamers and historians alike. This fantastic new book analyses the German raid on the Belgian fort of Eben-Emael and its consequences, separating myth from truth. When the Germans launched their offensive against Belgium, Holland and France in May 1940 one major obstacle stood in the way; Eben-Emael. Defending the strategically vital line of the Albert Canal and the Meuse River, it was considered to be the most impregnable fortification in Europe. To overcome the fort's formidable defences the Germans conceived an audacious plan. In the early hours of 10th May a select band of 77 soldiers on board nine DFS230 gliders landed on the perimeter of Eben Emael. The defenders were taken completely by surprise and the fort's guns and other installations were destroyed within minutes. The glider-borne troops held the forte for the next 24 hours, and this was crucial in facilitating the Germans' unstoppable advance towards the Channel.Profusely illustrated, including many contemporary photographs showing the immediate aftermath of the raid, this brilliant book is a truly gripping account of how this incredible feat of arms was accomplished.

Secret Squadrons of the Eighth

Secret Squadrons of the Eighth PDF Author: Pat Carty
Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing
ISBN: 9780711018815
Category : World War, 1939-1945
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
The first volume in this new series which provides a graphic account of the background, equipment, and the tactics of famous military operations. Many of these operations would see the first use of pioneering new weaponry, equipment or military tactics against an unsuspecting enemy. These fascinating stories will be of interest to military historians, wargamers and historians alike. This fantastic new book analyses the German raid on the Belgian fort of Eben-Emael and its consequences, separating myth from truth. When the Germans launched their offensive against Belgium, Holland and France in May 1940 one major obstacle stood in the way; Eben-Emael. Defending the strategically vital line of the Albert Canal and the Meuse River, it was considered to be the most impregnable fortification in Europe. To overcome the fort's formidable defences the Germans conceived an audacious plan. In the early hours of 10th May a select band of 77 soldiers on board nine DFS230 gliders landed on the perimeter of Eben Emael. The defenders were taken completely by surprise and the fort's guns and other installations were destroyed within minutes. The glider-borne troops held the forte for the next 24 hours, and this was crucial in facilitating the Germans' unstoppable advance towards the Channel.Profusely illustrated, including many contemporary photographs showing the immediate aftermath of the raid, this brilliant book is a truly gripping account of how this incredible feat of arms was accomplished.

A Most Secret Squadron

A Most Secret Squadron PDF Author: Des Curtis
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing
ISBN: 9781906502515
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Des Curtis was one of the founder members of 618 Squadron. Formed within days of the illustrious 617, 618's primary objective was to mount a daylight low-level attack by Mosquitos on the German battleship Tirpitz within hours of the attack on the Ruhr dams. The operation, codenamed Operation Servant, was given top security classification, to the point where the subject was excluded from the minutes of the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff of the air and naval forces. The author reveals the dilemmas and conflicting priorities existing to the highest levels, setting out in detail the technicalities of developing the 'bouncing bomb'. He also writes first hand about the tactical problems of getting to and from the target; and the tensions and strains endured by the Mosquito crews themselves, as they took the war to the German U-Boats within the sight and safety of their bases.

Red Eagles

Red Eagles PDF Author: Steve Davies
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9781846033780
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
From the late 1960s until the end of the Cold War, the United States Air Force acquired and flew Russian-made MiG jets, culminating in a secret squadron dedicated to exposing American fighter pilots to enemy technology and tactics. Red Eagles tells the story of this squadron from the first tests of MiGs following the Vietnam War when the USAF had been woefully under-prepared in aerial combat. These initial flights would develop into the "black" or classified program known internally as Constant Peg. At a secret air base in Nevada, ace American fighter pilots were presented with a range of differnet MiG jets with a simple remit: to expose "the threat" to as many of their brethern as possible. Maintaining and flying these "assets" without without spare parts or manuals was an almost impossible task, putting those flying the MiGs in mortal danger on every flight. Despite these challenges, in all more than 5,900 American aircrews would train against America's secret MiGs, giving them the eskills they needed to face the enemy in real combat situations. For the first time, this book tells the story of Constant Peg and the 4477th Red Eagles Squadron in the words of the men who made it possible.

The Luftwaffe's Secret WWII Missions

The Luftwaffe's Secret WWII Missions PDF Author: Dmitry Degtev
Publisher: Air World
ISBN: 1526775484
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 353

Get Book Here

Book Description
“Full of mystery and intrigue surrounding the Abwehr and the Luftwaffe secret missions supporting the insertion and less frequent extraction of agents.” —Aviation News There are many vivid episodes in the operational service of the Luftwaffe’s special and secret units which engaged in the delivery of agents and saboteurs in the rear of the enemy throughout the Second World War—not just on the Eastern Front but across Asia and Europe. The activities of the pilots and crews of these squadrons, even in the Luftwaffe itself, were closed and secret. Information on the operations and missions of these units was known only to a limited number of people. It was common practice for the crew of one aircraft in these units to know nothing about the assignments of their fellow airmen. The area of activity of such units and aircraft covered the whole of Europe, North Africa, the Arctic circle, the Urals, the Caucasus, and Central Asia including Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The Luftwaffe not only flew to these remote regions, but also created secret bases for their aircraft. Drawn from German and Russian sources, much of the latter only recently declassified, the authors expose for the very first time the Luftwaffe’s secret operations and reveal the fate of many of the pilots, agents and saboteurs in a story as breathtakingly dramatic as any blockbuster novel. “A most interesting account of the special Luftwaffe units that flew agents into enemy territory during WWII . . .What may surprise many readers is the extent of these operations that stretched deep into the Soviet Union and also into the Middle East and Afghanistan.” —Firetrench

US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II

US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II PDF Author: Barrett Tillman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 178200954X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 379

Get Book Here

Book Description
The US Marine Corps has a long heritage of aviation excellence, a reputation that was largely built on the impact and performance of the “flying leathernecks” in the bitter fighting in the Pacific during World War II. As the US island-hopping campaign against Japan gathered pace, US Marine Corps fighter squadrons operating legendary Grumman and Vought aircraft became instrumental in the success of amphibious assaults and in breaking fierce enemy resistance, engaging Japanese attack aircraft in the skies and ground-based targets while supporting and protecting US ground forces. The flying legends Marion Carl, Greg “Pappy” Boyington, Joe Foss and others were all World War II Marine fighter pilots, taking to the skies in Corsairs, Wildcats, Venturas and Hellcats. Aviation historian Barrett Tillman's comprehensive account US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II pays homage to these individuals and their mounts, and is packed with historic and organizational details of the squadrons who took to the skies above the Pacific.

Luftwaffe Squadrons 1939-45

Luftwaffe Squadrons 1939-45 PDF Author: Chris Bishop
Publisher: Amber Books
ISBN: 9781782749493
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 192

Get Book Here

Book Description
Organized by theater of operations and the many campaigns fought by the Luftwaffe, this richly illustrated volume describes in depth the various units on the front during key points in the war. It details the aircraft used by each unit, along with their individual and squadron markings. With information boxes accompanying full-color images, Luftwaffe Squadrons 1939-45 is essential for anyone interested in the German war machine.

A Question of Honor

A Question of Honor PDF Author: Lynne Olson
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0307424502
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 514

Get Book Here

Book Description
A Question of Honor is the gripping, little-known story of the refugee Polish pilots who joined the RAF and played an essential role in saving Britain from the Nazis, only to be betrayed by the Allies after the war. After Poland fell to the Nazis, thousands of Polish pilots, soldiers, and sailors escaped to England. Devoted to liberating their homeland, some would form the RAF’s 303 squadron, known as the Kosciuszko Squadron, after the elite unit in which many had flown back home. Their thrilling exploits and fearless flying made them celebrities in Britain, where they were “adopted” by socialites and seduced by countless women, even as they yearned for news from home. During the Battle of Britain, they downed more German aircraft than any other squadron, but in a stunning twist at the war’s end, the Allies rewarded their valor by abandoning Poland to Joseph Stalin. This moving, fascinating book uncovers a crucial forgotten chapter in World War II–and Polish–history.

Special Air Warfare and the Secret War in Laos

Special Air Warfare and the Secret War in Laos PDF Author: Air University Press
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781079351712
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 516

Get Book Here

Book Description
The story of special air warfare and the Air Commandos who served for the ambassadors in Laos from 1964 to 1975 is captured through extensive research and veteran interviews. The author has meticulously put together a comprehensive overview of the involvement of USAF Air Commandos who served in Laos as trainers, advisors, and clandestine combat forces to prevent the communist takeover of the Royal Lao Government. This book includes pictures of those operations, unveils what had been a US government secret war, and adds a substantial contribution to understanding the wider war in Southeast Asia.

Commanding an Air Force Squadron

Commanding an Air Force Squadron PDF Author: Col Usaf Timmons, Timothy
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
ISBN: 9781478384410
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 148

Get Book Here

Book Description
The privilege of commanding an Air Force squadron, despite its heavy responsibilities and unrelenting challenges, represents for many Air Force officers the high point of their careers. It is service as a squadron commander that accords true command authority for the first time. The authority, used consistently and wisely, provides a foundation for command. As with the officer's commission itself, command authority is granted to those who have earned it, both by performance and a revealed capacity for the demands of total responsibility. But once granted, it much be revalidated every day. So as one assumes squadron command, bringing years of experience and proven record to join with this new authority, one might still need a little practical help to success with the tasks of command. This book offers such help. “Commanding an Air Force Squadron” brings unique and welcome material to a subject other books have addressed. It is rich in practical, useful, down-to-earth advice from officers who have recently experienced squadron command. The author does not quote regulations, parrot doctrine, or paraphrase the abstractions that lace the pages of so many books about leadership. Nor does he puff throughout the manuscript about how he did it. Rather, he presents a digest of practical wisdom based on real-world experience drawn from the reflection of many former commanders from any different types of units. He addresses all Air Force squadron commanders, rated and nonrated, in all sorts of missions worldwide. Please also see a follow up to this book entitled “Commanding an Air Force Squadron in the Twenty-First Century (2003)” by Jeffry F. Smith, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF.

The Secrets of Q Central

The Secrets of Q Central PDF Author: Paul Brown
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750962771
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 273

Get Book Here

Book Description
A quiet market town with no military presence was chosen as the secret communications centre for Britain as the country prepared for war with Germany in 1937. When hostilities began, ' Q Central' attracted a dozen other clandestine operations set up to defend the country or designed to confuse and undermine enemy morale. The headquarters of radar, RAF Group 60, also came to Leighton Buzzard to be hidden from German attack and to be close to the telephone and radio communications needed to run its vast chain of radar stations. These directed the defending fighters that saved the country in the Battle of Britain and then took the bombing war to Germany. Close by, for the same reasons of secrecy and safety, were the satellite stations of Bletchley Park, the now famous code-breaking centre; the Met Office at Dunstable, which gave the all clear for the D-Day landings; Black Ops units that set up false radio stations and wrote propaganda to confuse the enemy; and airfields used for dropping agents behind enemy lines. At Q Central itself was the largest telephone exchange in the world, with more than 1,000 teleprinters communicating with all the armed services in every theatre of war and directing the operations of the secret services. Now the restrictions of the Official Secrets Act have been lifted, enabling eight members of the Leighton Buzzard and District Archaeology and History Society to piece together this compelling story for the first time.