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The Peenemünde Raid: The Night of 17-18 August 1943
On a night in August 1943, RAF Bomber Command launched a unique operation to destroy the secret research establishment at Peenemunde, where the Germans were developing the V2 rocket. In this book Martin Middlebrook describes one of the most secret, sophisticated and successful raids undertaken by the RAF during the Second World War.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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70 people want to read
About the author
Martin Middlebrook
43 books62 followersMartin Middlebrook was a British military historian and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Appointed Knight of the Order of the Belgian Crown in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 22, 2019
On a late summer night in 1943, RAF Bomber Command launched an unprecedented attack on a small target on Germany's north eastern coast. The target was considered so important that, if the attack failed, repeat attacks would have to be made, regardless of casualties.
The target was the Wehrmacht research station at Peenemunde, where Werner von Braun and his team were putting the V-2 missile into production. Mr Middlebrook has produced an account of the raid which encompasses a brief overview of the Nazi rocket programme, the story of the detection of the facility and Britain's reaction to this (easily the most interesting part of the book), as well as an examination of the raid from the viewpoint of the raiders, the defenders and the people on the ground, under the bombs.
Some interesting points arise from the account, such as a number of innovations trialled by Bomber Command, such as the use of a Master Bomber to control the raid, and an attempt by part of the force to bomb using timed releases from an offset navigational point (potentially useful as the target enjoyed smoke generators in their defence).
Also of particular interest was the near failure of the Luftwaffe night fighter force, which responded to a diversionary attack on Berlin by a small force if Mosquitos and spent much of the night waiting for a Main Force raid on the capital which never arrived. That any fighters at all opposed the raid was the result of independent action on the part of individual crews.
The effectiveness of the raid is also examined and, while attack is thought to have delayed the deployment of the V-2 by some eight weeks, this was a significant period of time in terms of events - V-2 strikes on forces assembling four the invasion of Europe could have had wide ranging effects.
An interesting look at a unique raid and two opposing forces in the middle of the night air war. Recommended for anyone interested in World War Two aviation.
The target was the Wehrmacht research station at Peenemunde, where Werner von Braun and his team were putting the V-2 missile into production. Mr Middlebrook has produced an account of the raid which encompasses a brief overview of the Nazi rocket programme, the story of the detection of the facility and Britain's reaction to this (easily the most interesting part of the book), as well as an examination of the raid from the viewpoint of the raiders, the defenders and the people on the ground, under the bombs.
Some interesting points arise from the account, such as a number of innovations trialled by Bomber Command, such as the use of a Master Bomber to control the raid, and an attempt by part of the force to bomb using timed releases from an offset navigational point (potentially useful as the target enjoyed smoke generators in their defence).
Also of particular interest was the near failure of the Luftwaffe night fighter force, which responded to a diversionary attack on Berlin by a small force if Mosquitos and spent much of the night waiting for a Main Force raid on the capital which never arrived. That any fighters at all opposed the raid was the result of independent action on the part of individual crews.
The effectiveness of the raid is also examined and, while attack is thought to have delayed the deployment of the V-2 by some eight weeks, this was a significant period of time in terms of events - V-2 strikes on forces assembling four the invasion of Europe could have had wide ranging effects.
An interesting look at a unique raid and two opposing forces in the middle of the night air war. Recommended for anyone interested in World War Two aviation.
April 15, 2018
A good nuts-and-bolts examination of the raid that went after the Nazi V-weapons program in 1943, with first-hand accounts of flying the missions and surviving the bombardment. It juxtaposes well with Len Deighton's "Bomber" (a fiction account of the same-type narrative). The maps are good, the passages from interviews are well-chosen, and the research appears to be quite thorough. Recommend.
August 23, 2024
Should’ve been so much better…
Started well but the amount of typos in the Kindle version is unreal and spoils reading flow. Much more could have been said about what was being developed at Peenemünde and what the threat was to Britain with the consequences being the potential loss of the war. The authors book about the first day of the Battle of the Somme is a tough act to follow admittedly, but, as said, after a good start this narration falls by the wayside dramatically. Recreating the battle is difficult but MM resorts to repeating himself and does not do the story justice, and put quite simply, this work could and should’ve been so much better. Disappointing 3 stars.
Started well but the amount of typos in the Kindle version is unreal and spoils reading flow. Much more could have been said about what was being developed at Peenemünde and what the threat was to Britain with the consequences being the potential loss of the war. The authors book about the first day of the Battle of the Somme is a tough act to follow admittedly, but, as said, after a good start this narration falls by the wayside dramatically. Recreating the battle is difficult but MM resorts to repeating himself and does not do the story justice, and put quite simply, this work could and should’ve been so much better. Disappointing 3 stars.
May 24, 2023
An incredible historic record
As a descendent of a laborer killed during the raid, I very much appreciated the author’s unbiased and extensive accounting of the events.
As a descendent of a laborer killed during the raid, I very much appreciated the author’s unbiased and extensive accounting of the events.
March 1, 2017
Excellent book about the only Bomber Command attack on the German Rocket development site at Peenemunde. The losses were severe, 215 RAF Aircrew were killed mostly by German Nightfighters while on the ground over 700 people were killed. Tragically the majority of the dead on the ground were forced Labourers, mainly Polish, who died when their camp was bombed by mistake.
Of Irish interest Pilot Officer Alan Thompson, 44 Squadron, from Dublin and Sgt John Gilvary, 419 Squadron, from Bray were killed in the raid. Another Irishman, Sgt Peter Barry gave an account of his Lancaster being attacked by a fighter. Barry was trapped in the rear turret, seriously injured. With the fuselage ablaze some of the crew prepared to bale out but the pilot ordered them to put out the fire as the plane was still flying. They returned successfully to England and Barry made a full recovery.
The mission itself was a mixed success. The development of the V2 Rocket was delayed by a few months but the plan to kill most of the scientists (and their families) in their homes failed. The Chief of Staff of the Luftwaffe, Hans Jeschonnek, killed himself rather than face the wrath of Hitler and Goering.
The book touches briefly on other interesting subjects like German rocket research (that eventually put a man on the moon) and the forgotten war between the German night fighters and RAF Intruders sen to prevent their attacking the bombers.
Of Irish interest Pilot Officer Alan Thompson, 44 Squadron, from Dublin and Sgt John Gilvary, 419 Squadron, from Bray were killed in the raid. Another Irishman, Sgt Peter Barry gave an account of his Lancaster being attacked by a fighter. Barry was trapped in the rear turret, seriously injured. With the fuselage ablaze some of the crew prepared to bale out but the pilot ordered them to put out the fire as the plane was still flying. They returned successfully to England and Barry made a full recovery.
The mission itself was a mixed success. The development of the V2 Rocket was delayed by a few months but the plan to kill most of the scientists (and their families) in their homes failed. The Chief of Staff of the Luftwaffe, Hans Jeschonnek, killed himself rather than face the wrath of Hitler and Goering.
The book touches briefly on other interesting subjects like German rocket research (that eventually put a man on the moon) and the forgotten war between the German night fighters and RAF Intruders sen to prevent their attacking the bombers.
February 13, 2025
Awesome Book
I always enjoy the work of this author, this is one of his best books next to the Nuremberg , Schweinfurt, SC121 were awesome books , the author does great research and his books were well written but I don’t like the fact he gave von Braun, a pass as to what happened to the foreign and slave laborers at Peenemunde and other places. Overall, it was a well written book. I would recommend this book as a starter about reading book concerning Peenemunde, however, I was very disappointed that he gave very little information concerning the American bomber raids on Peenemunde. He should have added more details. He did mention what happened after the Russians arrived. I recommend this book and any other of the authors work.
I always enjoy the work of this author, this is one of his best books next to the Nuremberg , Schweinfurt, SC121 were awesome books , the author does great research and his books were well written but I don’t like the fact he gave von Braun, a pass as to what happened to the foreign and slave laborers at Peenemunde and other places. Overall, it was a well written book. I would recommend this book as a starter about reading book concerning Peenemunde, however, I was very disappointed that he gave very little information concerning the American bomber raids on Peenemunde. He should have added more details. He did mention what happened after the Russians arrived. I recommend this book and any other of the authors work.
February 2, 2011
Peenemunde on the German Baltic coast was German's rocket research establishment before and during WWII. Martin Middlebrook tells the story of the RAF's raid on Peenemunde in August 1943, a raid unusual for the precision nature of the bombing by so many bombers and the fact it was scheduled for the night of a full moon. The author draws on a wealth of personal memories from not only the RAF and Luftwaffe crews, but also the German and foreign workers on the ground. These memories along with Martin Middlebrook's research makes this an exciting and informative read.
October 9, 2010
Another masterwork by Middlebrook, my favorite poultry farmer and amateur historian. Thoroughly researched, well organized, and full of first hand accounts. Great stuff.
January 4, 2015
An excellent book that give you not only the RAF view but those under the bombs too.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews