THE PEENEMUNDE RAID: THE NIGHT OF 17-18 AUGUST 1943.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn.NFINE/NFINE.No owner inscrptn,and no price-clip to dw/dj (probably an export edn which usually precedes trade 1st edn,as there is no publisher price.).Photographic dw/dj with minimal shelf-wear and negligible creasing - no nicks or tears present - minisculely bumped+creased to foot of spine/backstrip which is slightly sunned/faded.Top edge lightly aged and lightly dust-soiled,fore-edge considerably cleaner and generally unmarked; contents bright,tight and near pristine.Bright,clean,plain red paper-covered boards with bright, crisp,stamped gilt letters to spine/backstrip and clean,lightly spotted plain white endpapers.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,12-265pp includes half-title+ title pages,contents+maps+plates lists,an introduction,16 chapters, appendices (3),6 b/w maps,16pp contemporary b/w photographs between pp128/29,a bibliography and an index. On a night in August 1943,RAF Bomber Command launched a unique operation to destroy a secret research establishment located at a remote place in Germany.That place was Peenemunde,the cradle of the space age.Here Germany's most brilliant scientists were developing an advanced form of rocket projectile which Hitler planned to launch in large numbers in order to destroy London and cause the collapse of British morale and resistance.The V-2 rocket,Hitler hoped,would reverse the course of the war and bring him victory.When Allied intelligence discovered what was afoot,the RAF was ordered to destroy Peenemunde at whatever risk.The secret raid prepared for this small target had some most unusual features - a moonlight flight which might expose the bomber force to massive German fighter attack,the use of a Master Bomber to direct the operation,and a sophisticated plan for what turned out to be the only precision raid the RAF undertook by night during the whole of WWII.Carried out with great gallantry and at heavy cost,it was one of the RAF's most successful achievements,on a night packed with action and drama. Middlebrook has brought to 'The Peenemunde Raid' his usual thorough research and authoritative analysis.All aspects of the subject are covered in graphic detail:the experiments at Peenemunde,the lifestyle of the German community and the many foreign workers there,the intelligence hunt,events at British headquarters,the fortunes of the British and Luftwaffe aircrews,and the experiences of those under attack. The author has traced no less than 437 people involved in the bombing - 271 British,123 German,and 43 Polish and other forced workers - and has woven their personal memories into his narrative with great skill.He brings the whole account vividly alive. Please contact rpaxtonden@blueyonder.co.uk ,because of the lighter weight and value of this item,for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page!