Beaufighter vs German Flak Ships

Name: Beaufighter vs German Flak Ships
Price: 36.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9781472865984

North Sea and Mediterranean 1941–45

Matthew Willis, Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

$36.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Osprey
04 August 2026

History; Second World War; Naval forces & warfare; Air forces & warfare; Military & naval ships; Military aircraft

Series: Duel

An illustrated study of RAF Coastal Command’s deployment of the Beaufighter against German supply lines in 1941 and the long-running ‘arms race’ with Kriegsmarine Flak ships that followed.

Crucial German shipping lines faced a new threat in 1941 when RAF Coastal Command debuted the iconic long-range Beaufighter. The aircraft and its subsequent Mk VIC and Mk X versions gave the Allies a tough, relatively fast and very hard-hitting platform for air attack on German convoys, and so it became essential for the Kriegsmarine to fit ever-heavier anti-aircraft batteries to its escort vessels, and even to develop specialist Flak vessels.

In this compelling study, naval aviation historian Matthew Willis chronicles the little-explored arms race that saw RAF Coastal Command and the Kriegsmarine engaged in a fierce battle of one-upmanship until war’s end. New artwork, rare archive photography and contemporary records of Beaufighter operations add depth to fascinating historical accounts, including the actions of the famous North Coates Strike Wing against shipping in the North Sea and the exploits of Beaufighter units tasked with severing Rommel’s all-important supply lines.

By: Matthew Willis
Illustrated by: Jim Laurier (Illustrator)
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 151
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 182mm, Spine: 10mm
Weight: 260g
ISBN: 9781472865984
ISBN 10: 1472865987
Series: Duel
Pages: 80
Publication Date: 04 August 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

(Subject to Confirmation) Introduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Strategic Situation The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Further Reading Index

Matthew Willis is a writer and editor specialising in naval and aviation history. He focuses on original research and bringing out the voices of those who were there at the time. He is a frequent contributor to the historic aviation media and runs the website Naval Air History. Gareth Hector produced the cover artworks and battlescene for this volume. Jim Laurier produced the cockpit, two- and three-views, armament views and the Engaging the Enemy artwork in this book.