Product Description

As the Battle of Britain came to a close, the Luftwaffe began arming its single-engined fighters with bombs, using them in preference to twin-engined bombers against many daylight targets. Two units were designated for these Jagdbomber (literally fighter-bomber) attacks - 10/JG 2 and 10/JG 26. Their targets included shipping and coastal installations, railways, gas holders and selected military and civilian objectives. The detrimental affect on British morale caused by these `Tip and Run' attacks was great.

Luftwaffe Fighter-Bombers over Britain analyses the campaign from March 1942 - June 1943 using contemporary records and first hand accounts from both the German and British sides and highlighting, amongst others, unopposed attacks on London, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hastings, Yeovil, Salisbury, the Isle of Wight, Great Yarmouth, Torquay and Bournemouth. Tactics are considered from both attacker and defender viewpoints, their successes and their failures.

Incorporating almost 300 previously unpublished photographs, and packed with detailed research, Luftwaffe Fighter- Bombers over Britain appeals to those experiencing the raids, those with an interest in local history, the military researcher and aviation historian.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #249429 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 208 pages

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for Southern England WW2 history
The story of the Luftwaffe single engined fighter bombers tip and run raids on locations on the south and east coast of England in 1942 and 43 is not at the forefront of WW2 military aviation history nor is it seen as a major achievement of the Luftwaffe. Chris Goss' book details the real significance and success of these raids, the difficulty that the British defences had in countering the attacks and the tragic impact of these attacks on the military personnel and civilian population at their targets.

The targets were domestic and usually urban sites of training or infrastructure importance and were frequently in small or medium size towns, with minimal defences, on or close to the coast. These locations were vulnerable to aircraft approaching at speed, low over the sea below radar cover and from which a quick escape could also be made in the same manner.

The book takes, major incident by major incident, the story of the civilian and military populations on the ground, the defenders' experience and those too of the Lufwaffe pilots involved. It is a story too of the home front and as such is as important for students of local history in the target areas as for students of military history.

Luftwaffe Fighter Bombers over Britain, the Tip and Run Campaign 1942-43
The subject of this book is exactly given in its title. It deals with the policies, aircraft, aircrew, tactics and results in an exemplary manner, and is well supplied with photographs, some amazingly taken by German pilots (in single-seater aircraft at low altitudes and high speeds!) during the attacks.
The author is of post-war vintage and has the advantages of information from both sides and a detached viewpoint. Here I have to declare an interest as I was at school in Eastbourne during the whole campaign from its start in 1942 until the last two attacks in June 1943.
This book explains a lot to me but leaves some questions unanswered. For example, there was a story from a friend's big brother about seeing a group of FW190s being bounced by a group of Typhoons, who shot down one enemy aircraft but suffered two losses through tails coming off. This is now a well-known failing of early Typhoons but was not known among the populace at the time. On the other hand, I can corroborate the popularity of Canadian machine gunners who shot down a raider - we all wanted revenge. Despite some comments in the book, I cannot say that I was aware of feelings of continuous terror, people were too phlegmatic.
The last two attacks, which were in Eastbourne, took place during the Wings for Victory week which, like all similar occasions up till then, had been announced by the BBC. The Luftwaffe took advantage to demonstrate that there were two sides to this. The RAF felt compelled to send an Air Vice Marshall along to the finale to explain why it was difficult to deal with these attacks. We all understood, but there were some sardonic expressions in the audience. The BBC made some amends by sending along John Snagge, the famous announcer, and also by stopping giving the names of the towns holding these affairs in the future.
One final piece of wartime irony. My father had set up a school for training RN sailors in the use of huff-duff for detecting and locating German U-boats attacking our convoys. This school was in an evacuated educational establishment at the west end of the promenade, right at the edge of the cliffs. It was the final move to a succession of places which "would never be bombed", eg Portsmouth and London! One attack on this instead of on Eastbourne Railway Station would have had dramatic effects on our survival.
Eric la Croix