Originally Posted by Edward (Post 343337)

The BIG NEWS! [via Bill Stone]

Volume 6 is scheduled for July 31st, 2025

A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume Six: The Strategic Bombing Campaign over South-East Europe 1 November 1943 to 30 June 1944
(Grub Street Publishing – 31 July 2025)
by Christopher Shores and Russell Guest with Giovanni Massimello, Andrew Thomas, Frank Olynyk and Winfried Bock
576 pages - hardback
£34.75

"Following the inter-Allied Casablanca Conference in January 1943 the outline for the Combined Bomber Offensive was agreed and resulted in early February with the 'Casablanca Directive'. This required the "progressive destruction and dislocation of the German military, industrial and economic systems and the undermining of the morale of the German people to a point where their capacity for armed resistance is fatally weakened". This directive was clarified in June when the Combined Chiefs of Staff issued the 'Pointblank Directive' that stated that the highest priority targets were the fighter aircraft factories to ensure that in the coming invasion of France the enemy would not have air superiority.

When these directives were issued it was envisaged that as well as attacks by RAF Bomber Command and the US Eighth Air Force based in England, the strategic bomber forces in Italy would begin operations once suitable bases were available. After the Allied landings in Italy and resulting collapse of the Italian fascist regime a network of bomber bases was hastily developed. Thus, on 1 November 1943 the US Fifteenth Air Force was formed to conduct the daylight bombing offensive against strategic targets in southern Germany and across South-Eastern Europe. Key among which were the Rumanian oilfields and traffic along the River Danube. This new formation was joined by the smaller, but highly effective 205 Group, RAF that was trained and equipped for night bombing so mirroring their equivalent British-based formations.

The damaging attacks on the Reich's oil supplies and the hugely effective Danube mining campaign conducted at night by 205 Group delivered huge strategic effect. The latter reduced vital oil and goods traffic into the Reich to a trickle but also dislocated the supply and logistics train into the southern part of the Eastern Front so giving manifest support to the Soviets.

In this volume the early months of this hugely significant air campaign are described in minute detail, including the actions of Germany's Axis allies such as Hungary, Rumania and Bulgaria that were encountered for the first time by the Western Allies. Description of the strategic bomber campaign in the Mediterranean theatre will conclude in Volume Seven."

Originally Posted by Russell (Post 343462)

. . . I try to keep it in perspective by remembering most of the bomber pilots only appear when they are shot down, so its a matter of press on and lest we forget. Russ

Originally Posted by Edward (Post 343944)

21-22 June 2025
Book signing for Volume Six at Duxford Summer Air Show

Grub Street Publishing - fb
"We are excited to announce that we will be launching the sixth volume in our 'A History of the Mediterranean Air War' series at the Imperial War Museum Duxford Summer Air Show on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June 2025.

We are equally thrilled that we will be joined by authors; Russell Guest (coming over from Australia), Giovanni Massimello (coming over from Italy) and Andrew Thomas.

You can come and meet our authors at the Aviation Bookshop marquee throughout the weekend and have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of A History of the Mediterranean Air War Volume Six."

Originally Posted by Edward (Post 345482)

A History of the Mediterranean Air War Series Volume Seven
Coming in 2026

"Volume Seven covers the strategic bombing offensive from 1 July 1944 until the end of the war in May 1945. It details the increasingly heavy USAAF daylight bombing attacks against targets in southern Germany and Austria, but also the final raids against Romanian oilfields until they fell to the advancing Soviets as the Eastern Front collapsed.

The harrowing story of the efforts to resupply the beleaguered Polish Home Army is described in full as well as continuing the story of the strategic bombing offensive. Despite many difficulties the Luftwaffe and its remaining Axis allies in Hungary and the fascist ANR in Italy fought with grim determination and courage. Losses to fighters and the highly effective flak were heavy. Later the might of heavy bomber force was also used for direct support to the Allied armies battling their way north in Italy.

As in previous volumes the authors offer a chronological narrative of this significant campaign against the industrial capacity of the Third Reich that is complimented with a matrix of claims and losses from all sides, all shown in minute and previously unpublished detail with stunning photographs.

Military Aviation Book Catalog (2025-2026) - Grub Street Publishing
https://issuu.com/grubstreetbooks/do...tary_catalogue