Military Model Scene

Title: The RAF in Cold War Germany
Author: Ian Smith Watson
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN: 978-1-78155-842-3

A recent release from Fonthill Media, a 250-page hardcover book examining the story of the organisation, strategy and equipment of the RAF in Germany after WW2.
The end of WW2 is the starting point for the book, and how with the defeat of Germany in 1945, the control over the territory of that country was split to be under the control of the victors, including both Russia and the Western Allies. So, with the end of the war came agreements between the various allies how things should be divided, and this included Berlin, set within what was otherwise a Soviet controlled region. When the Soviets closed the land access routes to Berlin, the Western Allies resorted, successfully, to the Berlin Airlift, until the land routes were eventually re-opened. Then it moves on, as NATO was founded, all the issues of who commanded what in different scenarios, international relations, and all the while with what the politicians wanted to do to save money. The complexities make for fascinating reading. Amidst all this are the various aircraft types as they were introduced/removed from service. From Canberras, Hunters and Javelins, through Lightnings, Jaguars, Buccaneers, Harriers and Phantoms, to Tornados at the end. As well as the varied challenges faced in the politics surrounding everything, the pros and cons of different aircraft types are all taken into account. One of the saddest stories still in my personal opinion, was that of TSR2, which remains one of the great 'might have beens'. There is also plenty of coverage of the changing tactics of NATO, and particularly the idea of the tactical use of nuclear weapons, bombs built in either the USA or the UK, and what work was required to enable aircraft to operate with them, along with the need fo secure storage locations. After all this very serious content, it is rounded off with some Memories of some of the service personnel who experienced some of their time in RAF Germany, and there are a few of these that do give a hint of the lighter side of life in Cold War RAF service.
I found this a fascinating read, tackling what was a complex period providing the security of Western Europe during the Cold War. I was one of those people who certainly relaxed when the Berlin Wall came down, various Eastern European countries got their independence from Russia and Germany itself was reunited. Worth thinking about the collapse of the Berlin Wall happening back in 1989, which is now 33 years ago. Anyone younger than that will be pretty much unaware of how it felt to live for so many years under the threat of a 'Hot' War actually breaking out. It has only really been in this last year where we have seen a change in behaviour from the modern leadership of Russia with their invasion of Ukraine to make this Cold War story especially interesting reading.
Thanks to Fonthill Media for the review copy.

Robin