History of Mediterraanean Air War

[focusfocus]

Hello

Does anyone have any information regarding volume 6?

Regards
Michel

[Edward]

My question at the Grub Street Publishing fb page.

26 June 2024
"Are there any updates available for vol. 6 of Chris Shores et al's Mediterranean Air War ?

Their response
"Not yet unfortunately, but watch this space!"

[Russell]

Hello all,

We are working on it, its very big and over half completed to a first draft stage.

You can hope for some positive news soon.

Russell

[messcaster]

Thanks for your answer. I'm looking forward for some news!

[Edward]

Update from Grub Street Publishing website!

A History of the Mediterranean Air War Volume Six update
By Anne Dolamore
13 September 2024

We are excited to announce that we have a provisional publication date of July 2025 for the next volume of our A History of the Mediterranean Air War series. Below is an update from the authors about the content for the next volume to whet your appetite.

“Volume Six will cover strategic bombing operations by the US 15th Air Force and the RAF’s 205 Group from 1 November 1943 to 30 June 1944 and the air defence operations of the Axis allies. The background to the development of the strategic bombing campaign in south-east Europe, earlier precursor operations and secretive special operations are also described.

This volume is in the same highly detailed format as earlier books in this series including exhaustive tables of claims and losses. Coverage of the bombing campaign from 1 July 1944 to the end of the Second World War will be concluded in Volume Seven. As with earlier volumes it is profusely illustrated with rare archive material relating directly to the text.”

Keep an eye on our social media as we will be revealing cover artwork for Volume Six along with further details in due course.

Image [see link]: B-24L Liberator 44-49750 ‘Dogpatch Express’, 459th Bomb Group 756th Bomb Squadron drop[s] bombs on a rail bridge at Padua c. January 1945.

https://grubstreet.co.uk/2024/09/a-h...me-six-update/

[Chris Goss]

Book is not by Anne Dolamore but Christopher Shores, Giovanni Massimello, Russell Guest, Frank Olynyk & Winfried Bock and others!

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Book is not by Anne Dolamore

I feel certain that Mr. Dolamore is not attempting to take credit for writing volume 6, hence the inclusion of the word "update"

[Alfred.MONZAT]

Great news and at last it confirms that the strategic operations will be covered in two volumes.

[Edward]

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."

[Lagarto]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Medi...236/ref=sr_1_1