Specialty Press

RAF Bomber Command Losses Middle East and Mediterranean 1939-42, vol.1

by  David Gunby and Pelham Temple

Reviewed By  Paul Bradley, IPMS# 35554

MSRP: $26.95 RAF Bomber Command was the primary focus of the British war effort in the difficult days of 1940 to 1942, becoming a controversial force during the 1944 to 45 period when night area bombing was the doctrine of choice. Heavy losses were suffered, through enemy action and through accidents and, indeed, more Britons lost their lives in the bombing campaign than in any other aspect of the Second World War. Regardless of one's views on the ethics of the bombing campaign, one cannot deny the bravery and commitment of those young men. Their stories have been told in such books as Bomber Boys by Patrick Bishop, Bomber Command by Max Hastings and Bomber by Len Deighton. But it is not until one receives a book like the subject of this review that one can grasp the magnitude of the sacrifice. This book follows on from an epic 8-part series on Bomber Command losses in Europe, extending the coverage to the Mediterranean Theatre. Those who have any of those books will be familiar with the format - losses are listed in calendar order, and by unit. Each entry lists the aircraft type and serial where known, with a list of crew members with their fate. The circumstances of the loss is explained in detail where known; poignant are those entries where the aircraft was "Lost without trace." Some 1700 entries are included in this book, covering the first three years of the War; a second volume will cover the last three years. This is not a modelers' book. There are no plans, no color profiles, no photographs. This is a record of losses, pure and simple. It is a book to ponder over, and a book to remember. This book is available from Specialty Press; please visit their website for pricing details. Our sincere thanks to them for the review sample.

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