Secret Squadrons of the Eighth [Hardcover]

Pat Carthy (Author), Pat Carty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

The first volume in this new series which provides a graphic account of the background, equipment, and the tactics of famous military operations. Many of these operations would see the first use of pioneering new weaponry, equipment or military tactics against an unsuspecting enemy. These fascinating stories will be of interest to military historians, wargamers and historians alike. This fantastic new book analyses the German raid on the Belgian fort of Eben-Emael and its consequences, separating myth from truth. When the Germans launched their offensive against Belgium, Holland and France in May 1940 one major obstacle stood in the way; Eben-Emael. Defending the strategically vital line of the Albert Canal and the Meuse River, it was considered to be the most impregnable fortification in Europe. To overcome the fort's formidable defences the Germans conceived an audacious plan. In the early hours of 10th May a select band of 77 soldiers on board nine DFS230 gliders landed on the perimeter of Eben Emael. The defenders were taken completely by surprise and the fort's guns and other installations were destroyed within minutes. The glider-borne troops held the forte for the next 24 hours, and this was crucial in facilitating the Germans' unstoppable advance towards the Channel.Profusely illustrated, including many contemporary photographs showing the immediate aftermath of the raid, this brilliant book is a truly gripping account of how this incredible feat of arms was accomplished.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing; 1st edition (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711018812
• ISBN-13: 978-0711018815
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,826,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hush-Hush Ops of the Mighty Eighth!, January 15, 2009

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secret Squadrons of the Eighth (Hardcover)

Mention of the 8th Air Force inevitably brings to mind images of streams of B-17s and -24s wading through flak or swirling dogfights pitting P-38s, -47s and -51s against Luftwaffe fighters. Yet other 8th AF units were active as well, equipped with Forts and Libs but flying secret, night-time missions that also contributed to the eventual Allied victory. The efforts of these unsung units was largely forgotten until Pat Carty and Ian Allan published this informative history of the SECRET SQUADRONS OF THE EIGHTH in 2000.

The bulk of missions flown by the 8th's two "secret squadrons" - the 406th Night Leaflet Squadron and the 36th Bomb Squadron (RCM) - were either psywar ops or radar jamming missions flown in support of RAF strikes. In mid-1944, the 858th BS - later redesignated the 406th NLS - began flying night-time psywar missions over occupied Europe and Germany, dropping tons of propaganda leaflets from their gloss black-painted B-17s. The 803rd BS - later redesignated the 36th BS - began flying radar jamming missions in their black B-17s beginning in June 1944, screening RAF bombers along with the D-Day landings. Both squadrons, based at Cheddington, later converted to B-24s.

The wealth of information and photographs on these little-known units uncovered by author Carty is truly amazing. Carty traces the initial development of psywar and RCM ops by the RAF, the subsequent American involvement, various innovations developed for these singular missions, interesting missions flown and so on. Among the dozens of illustrations included in the book are reproductions of the various leaflets dropped over Europe, rare pix of the B-17s and -24s utilized and close-ups of equipment.

One minor point: no index.

In summary, SECRET SQUADRONS OF THE EIGHTH does a bang-up job of revealing and illustrating the hush-hush ops flown by 8th AF units during WWII. Who knew!?! Recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent documentary, May 20, 2011

By 

Ronald D. Chambers - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Secret Squadrons of the Eighth (Hardcover)

I got this for my dad, as he was a B-24 pilot in the Night Leaflet Squadron, then bought another for me and one for my brother and sister.