Military Model Scene

Title: Operation Steinbock 1944
Author: Chris Goss
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5532-9

The Luftwaffe's disastrous last Blitz over England, number 52 in the Air Campaign series from Osprey, from author Chris Goss. A 96-page soft-cover book, with artwork illustrations by Adam Tooby.
It follows a common format to this series, with a scene setting Introduction leading into a Chronology, with key points between May 1940 and 6 June 1944. Then two chapters looking at both the Attacker's and the Defender's capabilities. Within this are the types of bomber used by the Luftwaffe in this later stage of the war, along with their target finding equipment and target marking methods, while for the defending RAF, their radars, reporting organisation and night fighters are all included. The Objectives are quite straightforward, simply revenge for the RAF attacks on German cities, and helped by the remaining document from Herman Goering setting out their objectives. The largest part of the book is then taken up with the story of the Campaign itself. A map illustrates the various targets, not just London, and then the results of various raids, along with the various types of bomb the Luftwaffe used and some of the pilots who took part in the campaign. It is rounded off with an analysis of this final campaign, one which ultimately failed and which was immediately followed by the allied invasion of NW Europe.
Accompanied by lots of archive photos, and some of the excellent artwork always found in these Osprey books this is one I enjoyed. In particular because in the one book it focusses on the one story, of the Baby Blitz, which only lasted between January and May 1944. The loss of valuable aircraft and experience aircrew would mean they were sorely missed when having to face the allied invasion of Normandy. Another fine addition to the Air Campaign series I think.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin