Allied air operations, 1939 1940 : the war over France and the Low countries

While much has been written about the Battle of Britain, the air war over France and the Low Countries from September 1939 to June 1940 has been largely neglected – until now. As expert aviation author Jerry Murland reveals in this fascinating book, there may have been little ground action until May 1940 but the war in the air was far from ‘phoney’. In contrast to their adversaries, the Allied air forces on the mainland of Europe were poorly equipped, regardless of increased development from 1934 onwards. But in spite of this, when the German invasion began, the Low Countries of Holland and Belgium fought back tenaciously. While development of the Spitfire, Blenheim and Wellington was continuing at a pace, the RAF with only four squadrons of Hurricanes among a force of outdated bi-planes, was a little more prepared than the French, but still woefully outgunned by the Luftwaffe. While the Allied air forces of Britain, France and the Low Countries may have been inferior, the gallantry and tenacity of their pilots makes for inspiring reading. This is a work that will enthrall and inform all those interested in the history of the Second World War, particularly aviation enthusiasts. Cover Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Preface Chapter One Rearmament Chapter Two First Clashes: 3 September to30 December 1939 Chapter Three Prelude: 1 January to 9 May 1940 Chapter Four The Low Countries: 10 to 14 May 1940 Chapter Five Spy in the Sky Plat I Chapter Six Air Battles over France: 10 to 26 May 1940 Chapter Seven Dunkirk: 26 May to 2 June 1940 Chapter Eight The Lull before the Storm:27 May to 18 June 1940 Chapter Nine Mussolini and Haddock Force:10 to 24 June 1940 Chapter Ten Conclusion Appendix Some of the Aircraft Mentioned in the Text Bibliography Index