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History of the World's Glider Forces

History of the World's Glider Forces

Ref: 4433

In stock

Price: £9.00

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{detailed description}The glider first went to war in the silent, stunning assault on Fort Eben Emael in Belgium by the Germans in May 1940. From then on it was to play an increasingly important role in warfare, ranging from the snow-covered mountains of Norway, the forests of Russia, the jungles of Burma, the Mediterranean islands of Crete and Sicily, and finally the European battlefields of Normandy, Bastogne, Arnhem and the crossing of the Rhine. However, the costs in the Second World War were high in men and equipment — many gliders were forced to cast off too soon or in the wrong place, or crashed on landing. The role of the glider pilots and troops was a difficult and dangerous one. But their successes were many.
The military glider has one major advantage: silence. As a result it was used, for example, to enormous effect to land troops in Normandy ahead of the seaborne invasion. The Germans also used it to great effect in their airborne invasion of Crete.
In this comprehensive and deeply researched book, the author gives the history of the development of the glider as a weapon of war by the combatant countries of the Second World War; he describes the glider operations, troops and airmen involved, supplemented by vivid first-hand accounts of the actions. He also gives the technical data and development details of the gliders themselves, including not only the German DFS 230 and Junkers, the British Horsa and Hamilcar and the US Waco CG-4A, but also all the lesser-known gliders from countries such as Russia, Japan, China and Czechoslovakia.
Alan Wood served for 12 years on regular and reserve service with 38 (Airborne Forces) Group and Transport Command of the Royal Air Force. During this time he was engaged on air and ground duties, including glider towing, glider snatching, paratroop and supply dropping, and paratroop and glider landing zone control. He is therefore well qualified to describe the fascinating role of the glider in war and its technical aspects.
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Alan Wood
published by PSL 1990 1st edn. 312pp illus. ind. 16x24
{condition}yellowed, otherwise good, in worn d/j.
{delivery info}
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U.K.tracked
first class (1-2 days)£4.75
second class (2-3 days)£4.25


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