Dam Busters: The Race to Smash the Dams, 1943
Author(s): James Holland
The night of May 16th, 1943. Nineteen specially adapted Lancaster bombers take off from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, each with a huge 9,000lb cylindrical bomb strapped underneath it. Their mission: to destroy three dams deep within the German heartland, which provide the lifeblood to the industries supplying the Third Reich's war machine. From the outset it was an almost impossible task, a suicide mission: to fly low and at night in formation over many miles of enemy-occupied territory at the very limit of the Lancasters' capacity, and drop a new weapon that had never been tried operationally before from a precise height of just sixty feet from the water at some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany. More than that, the entire operation had to be put together in less than ten weeks. When visionary aviation engineer Barnes Wallis' concept of the bouncing bomb was green lighted, he hadn't even drawn up his plans for the weapon that was to smash the dams. What followed was an incredible race against time, which, despite numerous setbacks and against huge odds, became one of the most successful and game-changing bombing raids of all time.
Product Information
The dramatic retelling of one of the most daring, extraordinary and outrageous raids of WW2 by one of the UK's most talented young historians
"In his previous books... Holland combined a lively style with fresh insights based on deep historical research. Those qualities shine through this new account" Literary Review "Though it is such a well-known story, it has never been told in such depth before. James Holland has mastered every detail" Daily Mail "Holland tells the story with gusto and pace... he has truly and brilliantly plugged an enormous gap" Mail on Sunday
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. A member of the British Commission for Military History and the Guild of Battlefield Guides, he also regularly contributes reviews and articles in national newspapers and magazines and appears on national radio. His books include Fortress Malta, Italy's Sorrow, The Battle of Britain and his fictional WW2 series featuring Sergeant Jack Tanner. He has also made acclaimed television programmes on the Battle of Britain and the Dambusters raid for BBC. His many interviews with veterans of the Second World War are available at the Imperial War Museum and are also archived on www.secondworldwarforum.com.
General Fields
- :
- : Penguin Random House
- : Penguin Books Ltd
- : 0.478
- : 01 March 2013
- : 198mm X 127mm X 36mm
- : United Kingdom
- : 01 July 2013
- : books
Special Fields
- : James Holland
- : Paperback
- : 713
- : English
- : 940.544941
- : 576
- : HBWQ