Allied Air Operations 1939–1940 - The War Over France and the Low Countries
written by Jerry Murland and published by Pen & Sword Books - £20 -
Hardback - Pages 192
While much has been written about the Battle of Britain, the air war over France and
the Low Countries from September 1939 to June 1940 has been largely neglected –
until now. As expert aviation author Jerry Murland reveals in this fascinating book,
there may have been little ground action until May 1940 but the war in the air was far
from ‘phoney’.
In contrast to their adversaries, the Allied air forces on the mainland of Europe were poorly equipped, regardless of increased development from 1934 onwards. But in spite of this, when the German invasion began, the Low Countries of Holland and Belgium fought back tenaciously. While development of the Spitfire, Blenheim and Wellington was continuing at a pace, the RAF with only four squadrons of Hurricanes among a force of outdated bi-planes, was a little more prepared than the French, but still woefully outgunned by the Luftwaffe.
While the Allied air forces of Britain, France and the Low Countries may have been inferior, the gallantry and tenacity of their pilots makes for inspiring reading.
This is a work that will enthral and inform all those interested in the history of the Second World War, particularly aviation enthusiasts.
Allied Air Operations Over France and the Low Countries is an often missed or
forgotten part of the war, but it actually is the front piece of the war in which France,
Belgium & Holland had to take on the brunt of Germany and the Luftwaffe. Jerry
Murland has written an excellent book here, which is very good indeed in its detailed
and comprehensive research and chronological look at events and air battles at the
start of World War Two. While we hear very little about how the low countries acted or
fared during the early part of the war, a lot was actually learnt and the likes of Holland
and Belgium put up a big fight against the Luftwaffe. I enjoyed the way the book was
laid out and Murland writes a good book, which is complimented by some good
photographs. I really enjoyed this book and would happily recommend this book to
others.
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