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The RAF Pathfinders Bomber Command Elite Squadrons 1st Edition by Martyn Chorlton ISBN 1846742013 9781846742019

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The RAF pathfinders Bomber command s elite squadrons First Edition Martyn Chorlton Digital Instant Download

Author(s): Martyn Chorlton
ISBN(s): 9781846742019, 1846742013
Edition: First Edition
File Details: PDF, 5.28 MB
Year: 2012
Language: english
SKU: EB-6643952 Category: Tag:

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ISBN 10: 1846742013 
ISBN 13: 9781846742019
Author: Martyn Chorlton

The formation of the Pathfinder Force in August 1942 produced a steady but certain change in the fortunes of Bomber Command. Its effectiveness against targets during the early years of the war had been very difficult to gauge. When examined in detail afterwards, aerial photographs showed that only one third of the aircraft were successfully reaching their target area and less than this were actually placing their bombs with target accuracy. It was known during the large-scale bombing of Coventry in the autumn of 1940 that the Germans had used an elite force of pathfinder aircraft, armed with incendiaries, who had acted as target finders for the main force of German bombers. What was now needed for the RAF were some similar specialist squadrons, with crews handpicked for their discipline, courage, high morale and, in particular, skills in a wider than normal range of flying jobs. Sidney Bufton, Deputy Director of Bomber Operations, developed the concept of a new Target Finding Force, and his tenacity in putting pressure upon senior Air Ministry staff to implement his ideas and bring Bomber Command out of the doldrums paid off. The new force was finally accepted and the choice of Don Bennett as its first Commander was inspired. Bennett was restless, imaginative, and receptive to change. He never accepted second best and he became a legend to all who served under him. Pathfinder Squadrons were equipped with the best available aircraft, which included the famous Lancaster bomber and later, increasingly, the Mosquito which was a hugely versatile and successful fighter bomber. To join a Pathfinder Squadron was a rare privilege but with it went a huge leap in the likelihood of being shot down. Pathfinder aircrew and aircraft had to lead the way for their following Bomber Force in hazardous raid after raid. They flew at night but it took a full 25 minutes to run the gauntlet of the Berlin defences from end to end at full stretch. They were highly vulnerable to the wall of flak thrown up by German city defenders, as well as to attacks by night-fighters. By the end of the war some 56,000 crewmen of Bomber Command had lost their lives. Martyn Chorlton has written a gripping account of the RAF’s Pathfinder Squadrons, recalling the challenges faced in the smoke-filled skies over occupied Europe. It is also a tribute to the brave young men whose exploits, lives and, in all too many cases, deaths have left a powerful torch to bear for all who care about freedom.

The RAF Pathfinders Bomber Command Elite Squadrons 1st Table of contents:

Chapter 1: Introduction to the RAF Pathfinders

  • The Origins of the RAF Pathfinders

  • The Role of Bomber Command in WWII

  • The Need for Pathfinder Squadrons

  • The Evolution of the Pathfinders: From Concept to Execution

Chapter 2: The Formation of the Pathfinders

  • Early Developments and Leadership

  • The Pathfinders’ Selection and Training

  • First Operations and Initial Successes

  • The Strategic Importance of Pathfinders in the Battle of the Luftwaffe

Chapter 3: Structure and Organization of the Pathfinder Squadrons

  • Squadron Composition and Equipment

  • Key Personnel and Leadership: Profiles of Prominent Pathfinders

  • Command and Coordination within Bomber Command

  • The Role of Navigation and Targeting

Chapter 4: Pathfinder Tactics and Technologies

  • The Role of Navigation in Precision Bombing

  • Use of H2S Radar and Other Technological Advancements

  • Specializing in Target Marking and Illumination

  • The “PFF” (Pathfinder Force) System and Its Development

  • Adapting Tactics in Response to Enemy Countermeasures

Chapter 5: Major Pathfinder Operations

  • The Pathfinders in the Battle of the Ruhr

  • Key Missions: The Bombing of Cologne, Hamburg, and Dresden

  • The 1,000-Bomber Raids and the Pathfinders’ Role

  • Night-time Precision Bombing: The Dambuster Raid

  • Operations Over France and Other European Targets

Chapter 6: The Challenges and Dangers Faced by the Pathfinders

  • High-Risk Operations and Targeting at Night

  • Enemy Defenses: Flak, Night Fighters, and Radar

  • Losses and Casualties Within the Pathfinders

  • Survival Stories and the Costs of Precision Bombing

Chapter 7: The Pathfinders’ Impact on Bomber Command

  • The Pathfinders’ Role in Shaping Bomber Command Strategy

  • Enhancing the Accuracy of Night Bombing

  • The Effectiveness of the Pathfinders’ Target Marking

  • Post-War Assessments of Bomber Command’s Campaigns

Chapter 8: The RAF Pathfinders’ Legacy

  • The End of the Pathfinders’ Role in WWII

  • Post-War Recognition and Honors

  • Continuing the Legacy: Pathfinders in Modern Warfare

  • Commemoration and Memorials for the Pathfinders

Chapter 9: Personal Stories and Testimonies

  • First-Hand Accounts from Pathfinder Veterans

  • The Human Element: Courage and Sacrifice

  • The Psychological Toll on Pathfinder Crews

  • Reflections on the Pathfinders’ Contribution to WWII

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Tags: Martyn Chorlton, RAF Pathfinders, Elite Squadrons