How the RAF and USAAF Beat the Luftwaffe

by Ken Delve

Overview

"The Luftwaffe had to be used in a decisive way in the Battle of Britain as a means of conducting total air war. Its size, technical equipment and the means at its disposal precluded the Luftwaffe from fulfilling this mission." - Adolf Galland

How did the RAF beat the Luftwaffe during the Second World War? Was it actually the fact that they did not lose which later enabled them to claim victory – a victory that would have been impossible without the participation of the Americans from early 1943?

This groundbreaking study looks at the main campaigns in which the RAF – and later the Allies – faced the Luftwaffe. Critically acclaimed writer Ken Delve argues that by the latter part of 1942 the Luftwaffe was no longer a decisive strategic or even tactical weapon.

The Luftwaffe was remarkably resilient, but it was on a continual slide to ultimate destruction. Its demise is deconstructed according to defective strategic planning from the inception of the Luftwaffe; its failure to provide decisive results over Britain in 1940 and over the Mediterranean and Desert in 1941–1942; and its failure to defend the Reich and the occupied countries against the RAF and, later, combined Allied bomber offensive.

Delve studies numerous aspects to these failures, from equipment (aircraft and weapons) to tactics, leadership (political and military), logistics, morale and others.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784383824
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	04/05/2021
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ken Delve served 20 years in the Royal Air Force as a Navigator and during that time developed his passion for aviation and military history. From researching and publishing the history of his first squadron – 39 Squadron, which had played a major role in defeating Rommel’s supply lines – he has subsequently written over 40 books and numerous articles.

Table of Contents

List of Plates ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xv

Chapter 1 Galland's View 1

Chapter 2 Readiness? The Period to May 1940 11

Chapter 3 France and the Battle of Britain 43

Chapter 4 Luftwaffe Night Raids and V-weapons 89

Chapter 5 Bomber Command's Night Offensive 107

Chapter 6 Daylight Offensive: Destroying the Luftwaffe 153

Index 204

Editorial Reviews

"...the author effectively argues why the Luftwaffe failed."

WWII History Magazine

"The book’s greatest strength is the plethora of facts and anecdotes sprinkled throughout."

Air Power History

"This book is useful by putting the history of strategic bombing of Germany and the battle for air supremacy in western Europe in a concise and accurate manner."

Journal of Military History