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Book Description
A comprehensive account of the most audacious bombing raid of the Second World War.
Product Description
Operation Chastise - the Dambusters Raid, as it became known - undertaken by 19 Lancasters of 617 Squadron on the night of 16 May 1943, was the most audacious bombing raid of the Second World War. For the loss of 11 aircraft, the Mohne and Eder dams in Germany's industrial heartland were breached, and a famous if controversial victory won. John Sweetman's book is the most comprehensive account of this legendary mission, from the development of Barnes Wallis' 'bouncing bomb' (in reality a revolving depth-charge) to every moment of the raid itself, under the charismatic command of Guy Gibson, VC. It recalls a time of commitment, perseverance and sheer dogged determination in the face of dangerous and improbable odds.
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Aimed at the heart of Germany's armament industry in the Ruhr and her movement of war materiel through the Weser Valley and Mittelland Canal, Chastise was by no means unique as a concept. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Aimed at the heart of Germany's armament industry in the Ruhr and her movement of war materiel through the Weser Valley and Mittelland Canal, Chastise was by no means unique as a concept. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have always had an interest in the RAF and most of all it's exploits carried out during WWII. This book gave a gripping accurate account of the Dambuster's raid. I found that John Sweetman gave a very detailed account of events, people and aircraft; from the department in which a person worked, right down to the aircraft numbers. The book provided a rollercoster ride from start to finish. I couldn't help but share in Barnes Wallis' disappoint and frustration when trying to convince others that his plan would work. I found myself drawn into the rush when approval was finally granted and the deadline was drawing near for the bomb to be ready. Even though John Sweetman set out to correct the errors made in previous accounts he took nothing away from the efforts and heroism of those involved. John Sweetman made excellent use of maps, photos,diagrams and a detailed description of the terrain helped me understand what Barnes Wallis hoped the bomb would achieve and what the raid had achieved. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this to complement and update a copy of Paul Brickill's 1951 book 'The Dam Busters' that I found in a charity shop.
This too follows the same format, with the design and trials of the weapon, the steps to persuade the various government departments and the RAF of the feasibility and possibilities of UPKEEP and HIGHBALL, as well as an indication of the various meetings and highs and lows that Barnes Wallis experienced, occupying the first half of the book. Of necessity, this part of the book can be viewed as slow and even (as some readers have said or implied) over-detailed. I must admit that I had trouble keeping pace with who was who and why they mattered, but this is after all a history of the conception and delivery of the raid, and this part is vital to understand what follows and to pay due credit to those involved.
The second part is faster-paced with the raid being described in the same meticulous detail. The author does a good job of 'conducting' the various events by pausing the action in one area in order to draw in something else relevant that that is happening in the same timeframe.
There are very helpful appendices and I must confess I had my finger jammed in them to help me understand the flow of events.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in RAF, or World War 2 history. If the reader gets bogged down in the early part of the book they can always skip to the raid itself.
In summary this meticulous work made me appreciate again not only the genius of Wallis, the commitment of the engineers - both RAF and civilian but also the valour of the young aircrew; all of whom just got on with the job.
PLEASE NOTE: The cover depicted as of March 2012 (a simple blue background with a close-up of two of Lancaster's Merlin engines) is the cover of an older edition of the book. The one I recieved had a new 2012 Introduction and Postscript.
This too follows the same format, with the design and trials of the weapon, the steps to persuade the various government departments and the RAF of the feasibility and possibilities of UPKEEP and HIGHBALL, as well as an indication of the various meetings and highs and lows that Barnes Wallis experienced, occupying the first half of the book. Of necessity, this part of the book can be viewed as slow and even (as some readers have said or implied) over-detailed. I must admit that I had trouble keeping pace with who was who and why they mattered, but this is after all a history of the conception and delivery of the raid, and this part is vital to understand what follows and to pay due credit to those involved.
The second part is faster-paced with the raid being described in the same meticulous detail. The author does a good job of 'conducting' the various events by pausing the action in one area in order to draw in something else relevant that that is happening in the same timeframe.
There are very helpful appendices and I must confess I had my finger jammed in them to help me understand the flow of events.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in RAF, or World War 2 history. If the reader gets bogged down in the early part of the book they can always skip to the raid itself.
In summary this meticulous work made me appreciate again not only the genius of Wallis, the commitment of the engineers - both RAF and civilian but also the valour of the young aircrew; all of whom just got on with the job.
PLEASE NOTE: The cover depicted as of March 2012 (a simple blue background with a close-up of two of Lancaster's Merlin engines) is the cover of an older edition of the book. The one I recieved had a new 2012 Introduction and Postscript.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A very interesting and informative book. So much detail regarding this historic raid. For me it answered a lot of questions.
Glad I bought it.
Tony.
Glad I bought it.
Tony.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Dambusters Raid
An excellent read, very accurate on the details. There,s perhaps more facts than story, but this is avery small critisism of an excellent book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Pete Fender
Dambusters Raid Research
Before a trip to the area of the Dambusters Raid this book was recommended for background reading. Thoroughly recommend it for depth and accuracy of information, although the nitty... Read more
Published 19 months ago by M. Leadbeater
the dambusters raid
too long winded hard to follow went to ott when explaining parts of the story when a few words would have been enough.
Published on 29 Jan 2010 by T. Campbell
a good read
the book is in depth, and tells all you need to know. very good. a good read.
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by M. Pruden
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