At the beginning of the summer, my sons and I were captivated by the riveting Apple TV series Masters of the Air. I was therefore enthusiastic to carry my copy of James Holland’s book The Bomber War (Penguin Random House) in my backpack. Those who follow this blog know how much of a fan I am of this talented author. Full disclosure, I intend to review every one of the books he published in the Ladybird Expert Series.

While air power played a role “in Germany’s rapid victory in Poland” at the very beginning of World War II, the same could not be said in the following chapters of the conflict. “The tiny British island of Malta, for example, was not defeated despite in the spring of 1942 briefly becoming the most bombed place on earth”, writes the incomparable historian.

In sum, the German didn’t stand a chance in the skies because of three main reasons. First, the moral of the British people was unbreakable. Second, the Brits and the Americans brought the “aviation industry to new levels of sophistication and technical advancement”. In that regard, one my favorite development is the creation of a new fighter commissioned by Whitehall, the P-51 Mustang. Third and last, the arrival of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) categorically tipped the balance against the Nazis.

Beneath the glory of breathtaking victories and heartbreaking sacrifices, the moral dimension is indissociable from the discussion about war in the air during World War II. Sir Arthur Travers “Bomber” Harris was the architect of the British air strategy against Germany. His aim was to devote more aluminum and ordinance in view to save blood and therefore reduce the population of Allied military cemeteries.

The day has not arrived when the debate will abate, but James Holland concludes that The Bomber War “shortened the war” and “unquestionably save[d] Allied lives”. War and morality will always be at the root of intense and justified debates. But we shall never forget that the goal of “Bomber” Harris, Major-General Carl “Tooey” Spaatz and their colleagues was to prevail in a war against a ferocious and fanatic enemy.

Unsurprisingly, The Bomber War is another essential title on any military enthusiast bookshelves. And it makes me want to explore further the subject, meaning that it has met its goal of piquing my interest.

_______

James Holland, The Bomber War, London, Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House), 2021, 56 pages.