Operation Steinbock 1944

The Luftwaffe's disastrous last Blitz over England

Chris Goss (Photographer), Adam Tooby

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Paperback

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English

Osprey
29 July 2025

History; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Second World War; Air forces & warfare; Battles & campaigns

Series: Air Campaign

The story of Germany's disastrous last cross-Channel Blitz in early 1944, which left the Luftwaffe devastated and barely able to oppose the D-Day landings.

Operation Steinbock, or as it became known, the ‘Baby Blitz’ was the Luftwaffe’s last sustained night bomber offensive against the United Kingdom. In this book, renowned Luftwaffe historian Chris Goss explains how and why the Luftwaffe's last cross-Channel campaign was such a contrast to the Battle of Britain and subsequent Blitz of 1940–41. In 1944, the Luftwaffe’s under-trained, hard-pressed, and inexperienced bomber crews were out-thought and outfought by their opponents, who combined the latest ground-controlled radar with powerful new night fighters and advanced anti-aircraft defences, including radar-assisted guns and even anti-aircraft rockets.

Packed with dramatic original illustrations, explanatory diagrams, 2D maps of the strategic situation and 3D maps recreating key missions, this book tells the story of Operation Steinbock and its crucial consequences. The Germans' last air campaign over England ended in late May 1944, with the Luftwaffe having lost hundreds of much-needed aircraft and crews. Just days later, the Allies stormed ashore across the beaches of Normandy, and the Luftwaffe could do little to stop them.

By: Chris Goss (Photographer)
Illustrated by: Adam Tooby
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 40
Dimensions: Height: 246mm, Width: 184mm, Spine: 10mm
Weight: 306g
ISBN: 9781472855329
ISBN 10: 1472855329
Series: Air Campaign
Pages: 96
Publication Date: 29 July 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

(Subject to confirmation) Introduction Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities Campaign Objectives The Campaign Aftermath and Analysis Conclusion Bibliography Index

Chris Goss is a retired senior Royal Air Force officer who specialized in the 1939-45 air war over northwest Europe and Luftwaffe air operations. He owns a collection of original wartime material and photographs as a result of interviews with veterans and their families. Chris has written more than 25 books that have been critically acclaimed for their research and been published in Swedish, Hungarian, Spanish and Czech as well as in English. Adam Tooby is a renowned digital aviaton artist.

Reviews for Operation Steinbock 1944: The Luftwaffe's disastrous last Blitz over England

This well written account details the key elements of the campaign, particularly from the Luftwaffe perspective which makes it a fresh read and useful reference. * Flypast Magazine * This is an excellent book, the author has produced a very well researched and in-depth piece of work, which drills down into an aspect of Luftwaffe history that is little spoken about in the overall Luftwaffe history. * Army Rumour Service * this is a book that covers a lesser known period of the second world war * HistoryBookChat * The book is packed with original illustrations, explanatory diagrams, drawings and maps telling the story of Operation Steinbock and its crucial consequences. * IPMS Magazine *