Ian Allan, Classic Publications

Luftwaffe Hit-and-Run Raiders Nocturnal Fighter-Bomber Operations over the Western Front, 1943-1945

by  Chris Goss

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS # 43146

MSRP: $29.95 USD ISBN: 978-1-903223-99-4 Website: www.specialtypress.com The use of night attack aircraft against England during the mid-war period was primarily to tie down resources that could have been used more effectively in other areas. However, although these efforts initially tied down considerable British resources, including anti-aircraft guns and fighters, the results were disappointing, with little serious damage to British targets, and excessive losses to the Luftwaffe. The driving force behind these efforts was obviously Adolf Hitler and his obsessive desire to attack England, especially after his failure to achieve a decision in 1940 in the Battle of Britain. Hitler wanted to keep bombing England, and after it became known that the RAF could inflict unacceptable losses during daytime attacks, they tried nighttime operations, using high performance fighters, first Bf-109F's, but mainly Focke Wulf FW-190A's. Initially, during the Battle of Britain, specified units were required to convert one staffel of each gruppe into a fighter-bomber, or Jabo unit, not a popular assignment for fighter pilots. Pilots were assigned at random, and few had any experience in these tactics. During 1941 and 1942, JG 2 operated against England with early model FW-190A's, employing personnel who were not trained fighter pilots, but either fresh out of flight training, or more likely, bomber or transport pilots who volunteered for night attack duties. Later, a specialized unit formed out of JG 2, SKG 10, began operating against England by night. A major problem was the fact that few pilots had instrument or night flying experience, and many pilots simply became lost, with quite a few landing intact on RAF airfields. In addition, the RAF had developed very efficient night fighters, mainly Mosquitoes, who were vectored to their targets by ground radar, ultimately picking up their targets with their airborne units. The FW-190 pilots, on the other hand, rarely knew they were being stalked, and their first indication of trouble was the gunfire which disabled their aircraft, causing them to crash or bail out. However, during 1943, SKG 10 intensified their efforts, expanding their roles to include daylight fighter sorties against Allied bombers and weather reconnaissance flights. Also, more experienced bomber and transport pilots became available, and better training standards meant that accidents and navigational errors declined. After D-Day, effectiveness improved, but there were never enough Jabos to really affect the course of the battle. The end result was the use of SKG 10's FW-190's against Allied targets, mainly at night, and although many vehicles were destroyed, it was "too little, too late". This book is well written, with firsthand accounts written by both German and British pilots. It is very readable, and the photos are first class. A series of color drawings illustrates a single Bf-109F, a number of FW-190A's and one solitary Arado AR-96B, which was used for training by the unit. In addition, tables list the losses and missions flown, and identify specific airplanes. One intriguing fact is that three photos are included of the elusive FW-190G-8, although none of these shows any specific markings. Some of these, however, are listed in the loss records, so, by conjecture, it would be possible to model an FW-190G-8 with a reasonable chance of accuracy, based on the data provided in the book. This is certainly more information than is contained in the 1/72 scale Hasegawa kit. This book provides information on a seldom discussed topic, and provides plenty of information for modeler and historian alike. It is certainly worth getting if you have any interest in World War II Luftwaffe operations. Highly recommended. Get one as soon as you can. Thanks to Specialty Press, Ian Allan Publishing Co. and IPMS-USA for the review copy.