Osprey Publishing

No 126 Wing RCAF Aviation Elite Units 35

by  Donald Nijboer

Reviewed By  Dan Mackay, IPMS# 47000

MSRP: $25.95 ISBN: 978-1-84603-483-1 Review copy courtesy of Osprey Publishing Website: www.ospreypublishing.com When I first saw this latest offering from Osprey on the No 126 Wing RCAF was available for review I jumped at the chance, partly because of my Canadian heritage and because I had also read volumes 1 and 2 of Robert Bracken's "Spitfire the Canadians".This latest book from Osprey did not disappoint. The author Donald Nijboer takes you from the theory behind TAF wings to the formation of No 126 RCAF Wing and on until the end of hostilities VE day. The RAF's failure in 1940 to provide the Army with close air support was a contributing factor that led to the allies defeat in France and the low countries. The RAF examined the Blitzkreig" tactics and the Lufwaffe's coordinated support of the Wermacht on the ground. What was needed was dedicated Wings that could work as independent self contained units in support of the ground forces free from the the RAF's strategic interests. In Ospreys 35th book in this series we read about the formation of No 126 Wing RCAF which participated in famous battles such as D-Day, Faliase Gap, Market Garden, Ardennes, and the Rhine crossings. Each battle is detailed with unit operation reports, and excerpts from the pilots themselves. No 126 Wing RCAF became the highest scoring unit within the 2nd TAF. At one time or another the following squadrons were part of this wing; 401st, 402nd, 411th, 412th, and the 442nd. They claimed 362 aerial victories (including Me 262s) and thousands of ground targets (including 493 locomotives). But this came at great loss with 98 pilots being killed in the line of duty. Unlike other dedicated ground support units No 126 Wing RCAF used Spitfires exclusively. No one will dispute that the Spitfire ranks up there supreme as a dogfighterbut is was never designed or intended for the close support role. Being an inline Rolls Royce Merlin with the oil cooler and glycol coolant system on the lower part of the airframe it was especially vulnerable to small arms fire especially its main nemesis the vaunted Flak 38. Its short interceptors range was also a liability, but despite these short comings this Wing established an impressive record. I could not put this book down and read it at home and during lunch breaks until it was finished. I recommend this to all those interested in allied units and those with a soft spot for the RCAF. Thanks to IPMS and Osprey for the opportunity I had to review this book.