Terror From The Sky

by Thomas, Graham

• ISBN13: 9781844156849
• ISBN10: 1844156842
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-04-19
• Publisher: Pen & Sword

Summary

In the summer of 1944 the Germans launched more than 10,000 flying bombs at Britain most of them towards London. Thousands of people were killed many more injured. RAF fighter pilots flew round the clock patrols desperately trying to shoot the robot rockets down and stop them from reaching their targets. the introductory chapter of Buzz Bomb brings the reader right into the cockpits of the Tempests, Mosquitoes, Spitfires and Mustangs while setting the stage for the battle. From the launching pads in Northern France to panic in Whitehall as the menace grows, this book takes the reader through the day by day battle, not just with the pilots but also the Anti-Aircraft gunners who were blasting away at the flying bombs. Recollections from people who survived the buzz bomb attacks bring the battle into life as people tell about their fears and experiences. Was it a success? Was it worth the cost? Did it achieve it's objectives? Were all the efforts of the fighter pilots and gun crews trying to stop the dreaded flying bombs, worth it? Did they make a difference? Did they save lives? These questions will be answered in Terror from the Sky.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. vii
Foreword: The Airborne Terrorist Attacks	p. viii
Author's Note	p. xi
Introduction: The Battle Begins	p. 1
Preparing for the Storm	p. 9
Engagement	p. 20
Fighter Command (17 July to 1 September)	p. 31
Overview from SHAEF	p. 34
The Tempest Wing	p. 37
Tempests to the Rescue: 501 Squadron	p. 47
A New Enemy: No. 3 Tempest Squadron	p. 60
Grinding it Out: 486 Tempest Squadron	p. 101
Spitfires Engage: No. 1 Squadron	p. 127
The Germans Air-launch the Flying Bomb	p. 137
Mosquitoes into the Fray	p. 152
Night Fighters: No. 96 Squadron	p. 160
Anti-Aircraft Command	p. 186
Last Gasp	p. 194
The State of Fighter Command	p. 196
Performance of Various Fighter Aircraft at 2,000 Feet	p. 200
Spitfire Power at 1,000 Feet	p. 201
Recollections	p. 202
The Aircraft	p. 208
Directive for Air Defence of Great Britain	p. 215
Minutes of a Meeting Held at Headquarters ADGB at 1730 hrs, 13 July 1944	p. 216
An Eight Year Old Boy Designs a Defence Against the Flying Bomb	p. 218
Number of Flying Bombs Destroyed	p. 220
List of Fighter Units Used Against Flying Bombs with Successes Claimed 1944-5	p. 222
No. 486 Squadron Pilots and Their Scores	p. 224
Bibliography	p. 226
Notes	p. 227
Index	p. 231
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