Martin Middlebrook Knihy

V polovině roku 1943 západní zpravodajské služby odhalily, že v Peenemünde na baltském pobřeží funguje výzkumná základna třetí říše, představující vážnou raketovou hrozbu pro spojence. Na příkaz Winstona Churchilla připravilo bombardovací velitelství Královského válečného letectva operaci HYDRA, která proběhla v noci ze 17. na 18. srpna 1943 s cílem oslabit tuto hrozbu. Autor analyzuje plánování, průběh a výsledky operace, do níž se zapojilo 596 britských bombardérů, a popisuje zážitky posádek RAF, luftwaffe a dalších pracovníků na základně. Úspěch náletu spočíval v pozdržení vývoje a výroby raket V–2, což vedlo k zhruba dvouměsíčnímu zpoždění pokusného programu. I když se nejednalo o rozhodující nálet, ukázal Němcům, že RAF může zasáhnout jakýkoli cíl v Německu, což oslabilo morálku mnohých. Autor také zmiňuje, že po válce americká armáda zajistila sto dokončených V–2 a zajala von Brauna a další klíčové vědce. Tito odborníci byli později zaměstnáni v USA, což přispělo k dosažení měsíčního programu.

A reference guide to Bomber Command's operations during WWII.

A detailed and elaborately researched investigation into the Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission, the first large US Air Force bombing-raid. This was the first test of the American theory that bomber formations could fly deep into Germany and adequately defend themselves.

The Falklands War began when Argentinian troops invaded the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982. Martin Middlebrook has sought out all the available evidence from documentary and personal sources on both sides and comes to some controversial conclusions about the conflict. His book, which contains material on the Exocet attacks on British ships, on the loss of HMS Coventry and the Sir Galahad tragedy, and on the controversial sinking of the General Belgrano, has been revised for this edition. Paced like the war itself, leading to a tense and stirring climax, this book will remain the definitive work on this recent and most unusual conflict.

Bestselling Martin Middlebrook's classic account of the battle for Hamburg: a description of a text book campaign, where the British Bomber Command got everything right.

The First Day on the Somme covers in depth the most tragic and significant 24 hours of British military history.

In July 1943, a series of heavy bombing raids virtually destroyed the North German city of Hamburg. In one night alone, some 40,000 people were killed largely because of the terrible 'firestorm'. To this day controversy rages as to the morality of these attacks and their consequences. With his trademark thoroughness, Martin Middlebrook has delved deep into the archives to uncover the facts. As ever, he draws on copious eyewitnesses and participants - a total of 547 British, American and German. The testimonies of the Hamburg survivors are particularly revealing and harrowing providing a firsthand description of what it was like to be subjected to a prolonged and intense air attack. Paradoxically while Hamburg was arguably Bomber Command's greatest achievement it remains its - and Air Marshal Harris' - most criticized. Often overlooked was the USAAF's role and this together with the contribution to the failure of German air defenses of a new device, Window, are fully covered. Firestorm Hamburg is a masterly description of a major air campaign and the Author's aim of achieving a better understanding of the background, conduct and results is fully realized. He does not shirk from studying the moral dilemma.

The Battle of Berlin was the longest, most sustained offensive against a single target, and its merits remain a subject of debate even today. Here is the story behind these costly raids including crucial tactical shifts within the R.A.F. and month-by-month coverage of the most important runs. Based on over 400 interviews of both British and German aircrews.

The Battle of Arnhem was meant to end the war in Europe, but the whole operation was a major intelligence failure. Middlebrook is a master of blending interview and memoir, but has seldom done better than in describing the bravery of these resupply pilots.

Originally published: London: Allen Lane, 1976.