Focke-Wulf Fw 190 - Volume Two
1943-1944
Smith, J. Richard - Creek, Eddie J.
In this second volume of their study of this important aircraft, Luftwaffe historians, J. Richard Smith and Eddie J. Creek offer a detailed insight into both the mid-war operations of the Fw 190 as well as its ongoing technical development.
In the spring of 1943, German forces prepared themselves forthe titanic battle of Kursk. In this battle, the Fw 190 played a key role, equipping some four Luftwaffe fighter Gruppen and two Schlachtgruppen. Together, these units fought a determined campaign against the Soviets by operating both in the air superiority role over the battlefield and as ground-attack aircraft. Throughout the ultimately unsuccessful 'Zitadelle' offensive, Fw 190s flew unprecedented numbers of sorties, providing critical air support.
Meanwhile, in a radical innovation which demonstrated its operational dexterity, the Fw 190 was deployed as a free-roaming night fighter in the defence of the Reich which led the German Propaganda machine to elevate such pilots to the Status of national heroes. In skies lit up by searchlights, Fw 190s took their toll on the aircraft of RAF Bomber Command. As these units were expanded, so radar technology was developed and used by the Fw 190s in the pursuit of the bombers.
By mid-1943, the Axis had lost the battle for North Africa and the Fw 190-equipped Gruppen pulled back to Sicilian airfields. From there these units conducted air strikes against Malta which would be the Allied base from which the invasion of Sicily would be launched. Following the fall of Sicily, Fw 190s also mounted continuous attacks on Allied shipping off the Sicilian coast and over Pantelleria.
In the West, in a dramatic escalation in the air war, the Fw 190-equipped fighter units waged a bitter war against the American daylight bomber offensive and many pilots increased their personal victory tallies while flying the Focke-Wulf to become 'Experten'. New air-to-air weaponry was introduced, and tactics hammered out to deal with both the heavily-defended bomber formations and their fighter escorts, which began to reach ever deeper into the Reich.
By the end of December 1943 Luftwaffe forces were again facing a third gruelling Russian winter and the war in the East became a contest between the German skills and determination and a significant improvement in Soviel fighter defences. German grew in early 1944, butthe Fw 190 remained at the forefront of the Luftwaffe's operations from Leningrad to the Ukraine. But with the increasing demands for fighters to defend the Reich against enemy bombers, inevitably resources became stretched.
Despite this, production of the Fw 190 remained high with the construction of 1,950 Fw 190 A-8s demanded between February and May 1944. The authors review in detail the continued Programme of development and improvement initiated by Focke-Wulf to maintain the Fw 190's edge. This sawthe introduction of new 'weapons packs' allowing easy Installation in the field for conversion and enhancement, as well as navigation, radio and radar equipment. In recognition of the vitally important role of the fighter-bomber, extensive development work took place in the area of bomb racks and aerial torpedoes. The authors also reveal the struggle facing BMW and Focke-Wulf to maximise engine performance.
This volume also offers coverage of the Fw 190 trainers and the units which operated them, as well as the aircraft-ferrying units - an oft-overlooked part of the story - while Luftwaffe historian. Nick Beale, joins the authors to tell the story of the campaign in Italy in the early months of 1944 as Fw 190s fought doggedly to strike at Allied shipping off Salerno, Anzio and, later, to defend the Gustav Line.
The authors have researched the Fw 190 for more than 35 years and have assembled an unrivalled archive of documents, manuals and drawings, and photographs.
This study forms the key reference work.
hardcover with dust jacket, large format
332 Seiten / pages
many photos, some in color, technical drawings
very good condition, one corner slightly bumped, one small tear at the edge of the dust jacket
Hersham, UK - 2013 - Classic Publications
Art.Nr. 24313
