Book on Bomber Command (was: Christmas coming)

Hi,

I plan to buy three (because of time and budget restrains) good, current, scholarly historical books on Bomber Command’s Campaign against Germany in WW II. No thrilling “vet-tells-his-story”, no “in-defense-of” or revisionist pamphlets, no “bomber-command-in-a-nutshell”-stuff, but rather high-quality gems.

I already made my choice on two books: One to cover the German POV (Olaf Groehler: „Bombenkrieg gegen Deutschland“, 1990 456p), one to cover the „morality“ issue (Stephen A. Garrett „Ethics and airpower in World War II: the British bombing of German cities“, 1996),

So one (well, maybe two) "slots“ is still open.

After several tries I finally understood that no REAL good book on the BC will ever make it into a German translation (my last try was Robin Neilland’s German translation of his 2001 book „The Bomber War“. It didn’t really kick me off - in fact I was disappointed ), so I’m finally willing to give English originals a chance.

Some good studies (Martin Middlebrook’s „Battle of Hamburg“ „The Nuermberg Raids“) didn’t make it in my final choice, because they are seemingly too much limited to a certain raid, others don’t make it because they are too extensive = too expensive (Middlebrook / Everitt: „The Bomber Command war diaries“; Webster / Frankland: The Strategic Air Offensive against Germany 1939-1945, Vol. I-IV). I spare those for later.

To make it short, left and considered to be bought are:

Max Hastings: "Bomber Command", 1979 (outdated?)

Richard Overy: „Bomber Command 1939-1945“,1997

Denis Richards: „RAF Bomber Command in World War II The Hardest Victory“, 1994

Mark Connelly: „Reaching for the Stars: A New History of Bomber Command in World War II“, 2002

Robert Jackson: „Before the Storm: The Story of Bomber Command 1939-42“, 2002 (ending at 1942, well)


Any ideas / input which one suits the best?

Thanks in advance & Cheers,

 

I'll think your post over before replying, Andy.

But in the meantime, I have found a most unusual book which, given your interest in this area, will interest you.

It is Noble Frankland's 'History At War' ( de La Mare, London, 1998 - ISBN 1-900357-10-0 ). Published only in paperback by a little-known publisher, it is very important and is already being included in bibliographies of serious studies of Bomber Command.

The reason is, of course, that Frankland co-wrote the Official History, as well as serving in Lancasters. The first chapter deals briefly with his service career - the book then goes on to recount the ten-year struggle to write and publish the official history, followed by Frankland's views about the subsequent historiography of the Bomber War.

The real 'meat' of the book is his descriptions of the arguments and objections raised by the British 'establishment' who wished to deny, cover up, obscure or 'gloss over' anything considered to be 'not in the public interest' ( ie embarrassing or 'awkward' ).

I am mid-way through the book and finding it as gripping in its' way as any veteran's account.

 

OK, back to the original question and the answer may not be quite what you're looking for.

Connelly and Overy : both OK books, especially for anyone new to the subject. But not too much new to offer ; more 'BC in a nutshell' but both nicely illustrated.

Jackson : a useful book covering an otherwise neglected subject ( Bomber Command in the 'lean' years ). But no in-depth discussion of strategy, decision-making, etc.

Hastings : a very good book in 'journalistic' style, very readable. Tackles subject by focussing on selected squadrons at different periods of the offensive. Controversial as he intimated cowardice in one squadron and had to retract this in subsequent editions due to a storm of protest. More 'popular' than 'scholarly'.

Richards : probably the best and certainly the most comprehensive book mentioned BUT Richards tends to be overly partisan to the RAF and has been criticised for trying too hard to paint the most favourable picture of the RAF come what may.