{"title":"Illustrated by Mark Postlethwaite","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781472822444","title":"Rabaul 1943–44","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe story of how Allied air power took the great Japanese base of Rabaul out of the Pacific War with an innovative strategy of aerial siege, backed by the courage and capability of the pilots who flew against the heavily fortified island.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1942, the massive Japanese naval base and airfield at Rabaul was a fortress standing in the Allies’ path to Tokyo. It was impossible to seize Rabaul, or starve the 100,000-strong garrison out. Instead the US began an innovative, hard-fought two-year air campaign to draw its teeth, and allow them to bypass the island completely. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe struggle decided more than the fate of Rabaul. If successful, the Allies would demonstrate a new form of warfare, where air power, with a judicious use of naval and land forces, would eliminate the need to occupy a ground objective in order to control it. As it turned out, the Siege of Rabaul proved to be more just than a successful demonstration of air power – it provided the roadmap for the rest of World War II in the Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300368757109,"sku":"9781472822444","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472822444_752be779-b02a-4826-8a13-87305ac67e99.jpg?v=1786020526"},{"product_id":"9781472844972","title":"Arado Ar 196 Units in Combat","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeating its biplane rivals in a 1936 Reich Air Ministry design competition, the Arado Ar 196 provided the Kriegsmarine with possibly the best shipborne reconnaissance seaplane of World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReplacing the Heinkel He 60 biplane as the standard catapult-launched floatplane embarked on the Kriegsmarine’s capital ships, the Ar 196 flew an assortment of combat missions during World War II, including coastal patrol, submarine hunting, light bombing, general reconnaissance and convoy escort sorties. The first vessel to take its Ar 196A-1s to sea was the pocket battleship \u003ci\u003eGraf Spee\u003c\/i\u003e, which embarked two in the autumn of 1939. The battleships \u003ci\u003eBismarck\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eTirpitz\u003c\/i\u003e could carry six Arados each, the battlecruisers \u003ci\u003eGneisenau\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eScharnhorst\u003c\/i\u003e four and smaller pocket battleships and cruisers two. Shore-based aircraft were also operated from coastal ports on the Channel, Baltic, North Sea and Bay of Biscay coasts, as well as in the Balkans and Mediterranean.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this book, supported by an excellent selection of photographs and full-colour illustrations, Peter de Jong explores the history of the Arado Ar 196, detailing their development and assessing the combat capabilities of one of the last fighting seaplanes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300398248309,"sku":"9781472844972","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472844972_887717b7-2212-4afd-b20e-0347f8203510.jpg?v=1786020821"},{"product_id":"9781472840752","title":"Vickers Wellington Units of Bomber Command","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Vickers Wellington was one of very few aircraft types to have been in production and frontline service throughout World War II, and more than 10,000 Wellingtons were built in the period.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey took part in the first RAF bombing mission of the conflict when, on 4 September 1939, 14 examples from Nos 9 and 149 Sqns undertook a daring daylight attack on the Kiel Canal. However, after suffering high losses on follow-up raids, Wellingtons were withdrawn from daytime missions and began to operate at night from May 1940.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey subsequently took part in raids against the Italian port city of Genoa in July 1940, and against Berlin the following month, followed by key missions in the ‘Battle of the Barges’ in September and October, as the RAF targeted the Germany’s invasion fleet being assembled in French Channel ports. When RAF’s strike force expanded the next year following the introduction of the improved Wellington II, the 21 squadrons equipped with the Vickers aircraft, which included Polish-, Canadian- and Australian-manned units, formed the backbone of the Bomber Command night bombing force. Over the next two years Wellingtons participated in all the major operations by Bomber Command, including the daylight raid against German battleships in Brest harbour in July 1942 and the first three ‘Thousand Bomber’ raids in the summer of 1942.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis illustrated study explores the design, development, and deployment of the Vickers-Wellington type, charting its role in World War II from its earliest missions to its use in training after its withdrawal from frontline bomber missions in 1943. The text is supported by stunning full-colour artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301015728501,"sku":"9781472840752","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472840752_0dfba815-7c62-4b19-955d-269b0be9e012.jpg?v=1786020748"},{"product_id":"9781472845047","title":"Yokosuka D4Y 'Judy' Units","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn 1938, the Yokosuka Naval Air Technical Arsenal, acting under the requirements issued by the Kaigun Koku Hombu for a Navy Experimental 13-Shi Carrier Borne specification for a dive-bomber to replace the venerable ‘Val’ aboard carriers.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe resulting D4Y Suisei (‘Comet’)\u003ci\u003e,\u003c\/i\u003e codenamed ‘Judy’ by the Allies, was initially powered by a licence-built German Daimler-Benz DB 601 inline engine as used in the Bf 109E. Despite making an inauspicious combat debut during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, the ‘Judy’ eventually proved to be an important asset for the IJNAF during battles in the latter years of the Pacific War. Its great successes resulted in the sinking of the escort carrier USS \u003ci\u003ePrinceton\u003c\/i\u003e in an early kamikaze attack of the Philippines and the near sinking of the fleet carrier \u003ci\u003eUSS Franklin\u003c\/i\u003e in a dive-bombing attack off Japan. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile the Judy had an impressive top-speed, like its predecessor, and many other Japanese military aircraft, it possessed design shortcomings including inadequate armour protection for its aircrew and no self-sealing fuel tanks. As a result, when pitted against new, advanced US Navy fighters suffered horrendous losses. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDuring the final months of World War 2 it became apparent that there would be no Japanese victory. Acting out of desperation, the IJNAF employed the ‘Judy’ in the dreaded kamikaze role, in which it excelled due to its high-speed characteristics. Most notably, the D4Y mounted one of the last combat actions of World War 2 when a flight of 11 Judies, personally led by the instigator of the suicide attacks, Vice Admiral Matome Ugaki, took off on a ‘search mission’ on August 15, 1945. This volume chronicles the action-packed wartime exploits of Japan’s finest dive-bomber of World War 2.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301122781557,"sku":"9781472845047","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472845047_fd6c3691-e51a-4285-9d21-14fff19fcf0c.jpg?v=1786020822"},{"product_id":"9781472844392","title":"Arado Ar 234 Bomber and Reconnaissance Units","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen the revolutionary twin jet-powered Arado Ar 234 first appeared in the skies over north-west Europe in the summer of 1944, it represented the state-of-the-art in terms of aeronautical and technical development.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Ar 234 was a formidable aircraft – powered by Jumo 004Bs, the same engine used by the Me 262, and with a maximum speed of 735 km\/h and range of 1600 km\/h, it was very difficult for the Allies to ‘catch’. Here was a machine that with its superior speed could operate with impunity as both a bomber and in the reconnaissancerole. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs such, the aircraft became the world’s first reconnaissance jet, undertaking secret, high-speed, high-altitude observation missions for the German High Command over the Allied beachheads in Normandy and other Allied strongholds. Astonishingly, in September 1944 and as late as 1945, lone Ar 234s conducted reconnaissance flights over British ports and the Mediterranean. The aircraft was equally efficient as a jet bomber – although the Ar 234B-2 bomber variant carried no defensive gun armament, it was able to deliver 1000 kg of bombs at high-speed and at either low- or high-level with considerable and devastating accuracy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis highly detailed title from renowned aviation historian Robert Forsyth and Nick Beale explores the history of this incredible aircraft, from its development in the early 1940s to its deployment in both reconnaissance and bomber roles throughout the rest of the war. The masterful text is supported by stunning, specially commissioned artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301124944245,"sku":"9781472844392","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472844392_fa92d592-7b92-4bce-b4e7-dc538d62151f.jpg?v=1786034347"},{"product_id":"9781846032943","title":"Jagdverband 44","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis book provides up-to-date insight into the notorious German unit, JV 44, its numerous aces and its stunning success with the revolutionary Me 262 during the last dramatic months of World War 2.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere was no Luftwaffe fighter unit like Jagdverband 44. Formed in February 1945, the unit grew out of Hitler's bizarre decision that the Me 262 jet fighter should be used as a bomber, despite its potential in the daylight defensive battles over the Reich. Seen as a grave mistake by Göring, a small fighter unit was formed in southern Germany to 'prove' the Me 262's ability as an interceptor. Formed with some of Germany's most experienced fighter pilots, Jagdverband 44 numbered a disproportionately high number of leading aces in its ranks, to the extent that it was said that the Knights' Cross was the unofficial badge of the unit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith numerous first-hand accounts from pilots and detailed colour profiles, this book is a fascinating account of the dramatic birth of the jet fighter and the impact it had during the bitter struggles of 1944-45.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":56307850051957,"sku":"9781846032943","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":57682605441397,"sku":"9781472862952","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781846032943_c401e823-93dc-482e-a517-4940a6ceee1a.jpg?v=1792511527"},{"product_id":"aces-of-the-republic-of-china-air-force","title":"Aces of the Republic of China Air Force","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA unique, detailed account of the aces that flew in the bitter air fighting during the protracted eight-year war against Japan and the subsequent civil war against the Chinese Communists\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe ace pilots of the Republic of China Air Force have long been shrouded in mystery and obscurity, as their retreat to Taiwan in 1949 and blanket martial law made records of the RoCAF all but impossible to access. Now, for the first time, the colourful story of these aces can finally be told. Using the latest research based on released archival information and full-colour illustrations, this book charts the history of the top scoring pilots of the RoCAF from the beginning of the gruelling, eight-year Sino-Japanese War to the conclusion of the Civil War against the Chinese Communists.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginning as a ragged and very disparate group of planes and pilots drawn from various provincial air forces, the RoCAF gradually became standardised and was brought under American tutelage. Altogether it produced 17 aces who scored kills whilst flying a startling variety of aircraft, from biplanes to F-86 Sabres.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57484281184629,"sku":"9781472805614","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472805614.jpg?v=1786266336"},{"product_id":"savoia-marchetti-s-79-sparviero-torpedo-bomber-units","title":"Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Sparviero Torpedo-Bomber Units","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn illustrated technical history of the Gobbi Maledetti (‘damned hunchbacks’), Italy’s most recognisable combat aircraft.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eItaly’s most successful wartime bomber, the S.79 saw combat with the Regia Aeronautica in France, Yugoslavia, Greece, North Africa, East Africa and in the Mediterranean. Initially developed as a transport, the aircraft evolved into a dedicated medium bomber during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The manufacturer then produced the S.79-II torpedo-bomber which entered service in 1939 – which primarily saw service against the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIllustrated with 30 full colour profiles of the main units that saw action with either the Regia Aeronautica or the ANR, this title is the first of two volumes to cover the development history and wartime performance of the S.79.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57507807428981,"sku":"9781782008071","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781782008071.jpg?v=1787042948"},{"product_id":"jagdstaffel-2-boelcke","title":"Jagdstaffel 2 ‘Boelcke’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBy August 1916, the German Air Service was fighting a losing struggle in the skies over the Battle of the Somme. In response, an entirely new type of fighting formation came into being -the Jagdstaffel, a unit designed solely as a fighting squadron.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most famous was Jasta 2, formed and led by Germany's premiere fighter ace Oswald Boelcke. Renamed Jasta 'Boelcke', the unit would carry its first commander's legacy to spectacular success in late 1918. This title examines the tactics, personalities and achievements of this ace squadron which finished the war with an immense 336 victories, second only to Richthofen's own unit in confirmed kills.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57507913793909,"sku":"9781846032035","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781846032035.jpg?v=1787043063"},{"product_id":"p-51-mustang-vs-fw-190","title":"P-51 Mustang vs Fw 190","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiscover the history of a classic duel as the finest American and German pilots are pitted against each other in the war-torn skies over Europe, in two of the most advanced fighter planes of the age, the P-51 Mustang and the Fw 190.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis first book in the Duel series describes the design and development of these rivals and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter through an examination of the key elements of airframe, engine, armament and flying characteristics. Also explored is the training the combatants received, providing an insight into the lives of the pilots.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCockpit digital artwork allows the reader to relive the thrill and terror of a dogfight as these two evenly matched opponents battled for supremacy in the skies above Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57647683142005,"sku":"9781846031892","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781846031892.jpg?v=1791827861"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/illustrator-mark-postlethwaite.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}