Me 163 vs Allied Heavy Bombers

Northern Europe 1944–45

Robert Forsyth, Gareth Hector (Illustrator), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

$32.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Osprey
03 September 2024

History; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Second World War; Air forces & warfare; Military aircraft; Aviation skills & piloting

Series: Duel

An illustrated account of the dramatic engagement between the Luftwaffe’s Me 163 units and Allied bombers during the closing years of World War II.

In the summer of 1944, US Army Air Force (USAAF) aircrews flying over the Third Reich reported observing small, high-speed ‘batlike’ aircraft flying close to their formations. The Luftwaffe’s extraordinary Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket-powered interceptor was making its devastating debut with Jagdgeschwader (JG) 400. Capable of reaching high altitudes in the shortest possible time by using a volatile rocket fuel, the Me 163 was the Luftwaffe’s most impressive yet dangerous aircraft, and the fastest in the world.

Luftwaffe expert Robert Forsyth details the testing of the aircraft and its lethal SG 500 ‘Fighter Fist’ weapons system, as well as its deployment against the B17s and B24s of the USAAF’s Eighth Air Force and, from late 1944, the Lancasters and Halifaxes of RAF Bomber Command. These duels started a deadly form of warfare, with the bomber squadrons striking at Germany’s synthetic oil refineries and jet airfields, and the Me 163s of JG 400 trying to stop them using cutting-edge aeronautical technology.

Using specially commissioned artwork, original photographs and rare first-hand interviews with the pilots that fought the decisive dogfights, this exciting book describes the pivotal encounters over Northern Europe.

By: Robert Forsyth
Illustrated by: Gareth Hector (Illustrator), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 135
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 184mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781472861856
ISBN 10: 147286185X
Series: Duel
Pages: 80
Publication Date: 03 September 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Introduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Strategic Situation The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Further Reading Index

Robert Forsyth is an author, editor and publisher, specializing in military aviation and military history. He is the author of over 30 titles for Osprey Publishing, on the aircraft, units and operations of the Luftwaffe, an interest he has held since boyhood. He has written articles for The Aviation Historian, Aerojournal, Aeroplane Monthly, Aviation News, Combat Aircraft, and FlyPast and he is a member of the Editorial Board of The Aviation Historian. The illustrators for this book are Gareth Hector (cover and battlescene) and Jim Laurier (armament views, three-views and engaging the enemy artwork).