The Strike Wings

In November 1942, the RAF formed special Strike Wings to attack the heavily defended and seemingly invulnerable convoys that brought Germany's vital supplies of iron ore from Scandinavia down the coast of Europe to feed its war machine. The outcome was a series of sea/air battles at close quarters, fought with increasing ferocity until the last days of the war.

The Germans tried everything against the Beaufighters and Mosquitos of the Strike Wings, including intense flak, parachute mines, and even flame-throwers. The casualties were appallingly heavy on both sides.

In this classic account of one of the neglected yet crucial theatres of the air war, Roy Nesbit, himself a survivor of strike aircraft of Coastal Command, describes these complex battles from British and German records, assisted by first-hand accounts from some of the brave airmen who took part. He also analyses the effects of the tactics employed on the German war economy, with some startling conclusions.

The result is a fascinating, clearly written and vivid history of events that were little publicised during the war for reasons of security. The Strike Wings includes detailed diagrams of some of the key attacks and features some astonishing photographs taken in action.

Author: Roy Conyers Nesbit has a long-established reputation as a leading aviation historian. His many books include The Royal Air Force: An Illustrated History From 1918, RAF in Camera, The Battle of Britain, The Battle For Europe, Arctic Airmen, Eyes of the RAF, The Battle of the Atlantic, Ultra Versus U-Boats, Reported Missing, and The Battle for Burma.