Legend of the Lancasters: The Bomber War from England, 1942–45

by Martin W. Bowman

This book is a riveting account told in ten big chapters of the young RAF crews who flew Lancasters in RAF Bomber Command from 1942 to the end of the war in Europe in April 1945. It is unique in that the story is told using first person accounts from RAF aircrew and German night fighter crews who fought each other on raids on occupied Europe and Germany from 1942 onwards. Details of what it was like to be on the receiving end in Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne etc are also included. A whole host of incredible first-hand accounts by British, Commonwealth, American and German air crews permeate the action and describe the aerial battles as only they can. This unique book also includes many accounts and photos that have not previously been seen before while the rich mix of combat accounts from all sides are brought together for the first time in one volume.

Genres: World War II

948 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Martin W. Bowman is one of Britain's leading aviation authors, with over 100 published books on the Second World War and post-war aviation history, and several on the landscape of East Anglia. He has also established an international reputation for his superb imagery and aerial photography. He has a passion for flying in military aircraft. He lives in Norwich, Norfolk.

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you read this book you are constantly reminded of the dreadful loss of life in the Lancaster bombing raids of World War 2 over Nazi Germany, both the young British air crews and the Germans on the ground. I compared that to the current first anniversary ceremonies of the Grenfell Tower fire in London when 79 people lost their lives. By comparison the fire in Dresden, as a result of the successive bombing raids, cost the lives of between 25 and 40,000 people, as well a a number of bombing crews. As I read this book, at times I became depressed at the awesome loss of life on both sides, but I suppose that the leaders of both Bomber Command and of the country, just had to steel themselves and say we are pressing on to secure victory and we will just grind the enemy down until they can't continue, which of course was what eventually happened. There are some fascinating aspects of the book for aircraft nerds like me, particularly the chapter that describes a crew getting ready to fly a mission. One criticism I do have is that with most of the missions that are described there are no fighter escorts whereas I had always believed that after 1943-44 Lancaster missions over Germany had fighters to engage the German night fighters. Likewise I had also understood that British attacks by Mosquito fighters were effective in shooting down the German night fighters at their airports, but there is no mention of either of these aspects, so perhaps these have been both overstated. I would interested to learn of the explanation from the author Martin W.Bowman who is such an authority of the air war of the period.

[MR MICHAEL A FRANCIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy metal.

Bravo to all those brave aviators from the Commonwealth who volunteered their services to Bomber command and for some, thy paid the highest price.

[mark t waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Really interesting read. Just goes to show how brave these young men were. Also it shows how it was a tragic waste of life on both sides.