Flying into the Storm RAF Bombers at War 1939-1942 Author:Chris Sams Language:English Format:Hardcover Dimensions:6.15" x 9.25" Pages:256 Photos:black and white photographs Publisher:Fonthill Media ISBN:9781781556177 Item No. 9781781556177 From the lessons of the First World War, the RAF developed a fleet of modern monoplane aircraft in time for hostilities in 1939; a force that consisted of Hampdens, Whitleys, Wellingtons, Blenheims, and Battles. These aircraft and their crews were pitted against the German war machine from day one—flying into storms of flak shells and swarms of Messerschmitt fighters in their flimsy, and often poorly armed, bombers. From theaters as far apart as Norway and Syria, Java and France, the crews and their aircraft were at the front of every military operation without adequate fighter escorts and with poor equipment against stiff opposition. They were the few who bravely went on ‘one way ticket’ missions, that saw operational life expectancy as only a matter of hours, without hesitation or complaint.
