A Photographic History of Airborne Warfare, 1939–1945 (Hardback)
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 232
Illustrations: 400 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781399011143
Published: 17th November 2021
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On 10 May 1940 German Fallschirmjäger stormed the Dutch fort of Eben-Emael, south of Maastricht. The brilliantly executed operation was the first signal success by airborne troops in the Second World War and it made the military world sit up and take notice. Improved parachutes and the creation of gliders that could carry troops meant that assault forces could be dropped or landed behind enemy lines. This was a significant new tactic which had a dramatic impact on several of the key campaigns, and it is the subject of Simon and Jonathan Forty’s in-depth, highly illustrated history.
They tell the story of the development of airborne forces, how they were trained and equipped, and how they were landed and put into action in every theatre of the global conflict. The results were mixed. German airborne forces were victorious on Crete, but the cost was so great that Hitler vowed never to use them in the same way again. The Allies saw things differently. After Crete they built up elite units who would play important roles in later battles – in Normandy, for example, where the British 6th Airborne Division took vital bridges prior to the D-Day landings.
These are just two examples of the many similar operations on the Western and Eastern Fronts and in the Pacific which are covered in this wide-ranging book. It offers the reader a fascinating insight into airborne warfare over seventy years ago.
"There is much detail in many photographs accompanying the text and captions, which will be of interest to re-enactors and others interested in this period of history."
Helicopter International - January-February 2023
"The book’s simple title belies its rich substance. It not only chronicles the history of the war’s airborne operations, but gives readers detailed insights into training, equipment, vehicles, techniques and methods of airborne troops of the many nations involved in the global conflict."
HistoryNet, July 2022
Two brothers Simon and Johnathan Forty book 'A photographic history of Airborne Warfare 1939-1945' is a concentrated photographic history
Richard Gough - Historian, writer, author of the Escape from Singapore, The jungle was Red, Outpost of the Empire, SOE Singapore 1941-42. Waiting publication Tony Poe, CIA Paramilitary in SE Asia.
of airborne warfare during World War 2. 223 pages of Allied and German airborne operations supported by 400 photographs and documents. Russia was the first deploy airborne troops, followed quickly and effectively by Germany. Britain was a Jonny come lately. Large scale airborne operations such as the German losses at Sundra Bay in Crete, and the British disaster with Bridge to far at Arnhem, brought to an end large scale operations however, operations with small groups such as Force 136 in Malaya and SAS operations proved more effective and paratroopers becoming an elite ground force.
A story and pictures to be read, leisurely. Enjoying the narrative and pictures.
As Featured In
Military History Matters February/March 2022
"...the photos may help [wargamers] and modelers tinker with the look of figures and models."
Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, June 2022
"...great as reference for any modeler or historian."
IPMS/USA, May 2022
If you have an interest in Para troops of different nations during World War II, this book could be just what you are looking for. The contents cover the majors and the minors, I class the Japanese as the minors as I did not know that they had paradrops. The text in the book is well written, and due to it following more than one nations troops it is well organised, when it could have been very difficult to follow.
Armorama
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"There is much detail in many photographs accompanying the text and captions, which will be of interest to re-enactors and others interested in this period of history."
Helicopter International
A Photographic History of Airborne Warfare 1939-1945 - published in 2021 - is a comprehensive overview of paratroop and glider borne troop operations in World War II. It covers all the different forces that had this capability during the war - mainly German, British and American but also encompassing Russian, Japanese, Australian and others - and how these troops were actually used.
WW2 Today
Along with the other books from this series by Simon and Jonathan Forty it features a huge range of photographs and other images all with knowledgeable captions, as well as an explanatory text. A really good single volume introduction to airborne warfare. Enthusiasts will have seen many of these images before, but probably not all of them.
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"Highly recommended."
AMPS Indianapolis
I am sure anyone interested in the use of airborne forces in WW2 will like this book, and for the modellers among us there is a lot of useful detail in the collection of photos, as well as many diorama ideas. I felt this to be a fine reference on the subject, and one that I think should prove popular.
Military Model Scene
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Overall, this outstanding book describes the history of airborne warfare in photographs and from this aspect it is great. The text supports the images, and these period photographs bring to life the history of these elite troops. If you want to look at detailed photos of airborne troops then this book is ideal, and you must obtain a copy.
Dr Stuart C Blank, Military Archive Research
A fascinating account of the early days of airborne warfare.
Books Monthly
This book I presume is part of a set having read the three previous books on Tanks, Artillery and Infantry is brilliant and this set is a marvellous achievement, I love the writing, the design and format some really decent very well made books.
UK Historian
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About Jonathan Forty
Jonathan Forty was educated in Dorset and the north of England before attending Queen Mary College, London. He designed and worked on military magazines, including for many years Tank magazine.
Son of author and RAC Tank Museum curator George Forty, Jonathan and his brother Simon have continued the family tradition, writing mainly on historical and military subjects including books on Hadrian's Wall, the Napoleonic wars and the two world wars, often in collaboration. Simon's latest book, published by Historic England, is D-Day UK: 100 Locations in Britain; Jonathan's Heavyweights: The Military Use of Massive Weapons. They are also co-authors of Tank Warfare 1939-1945.
About Simon Forty
Simon Forty was educated in Dorset and the north of England before reading history at London University’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies. He has been involved in publishing since the mid-1970s, first as editor and latterly as author.
Son of author and RAC Tank Museum curator George Forty, Simon and his brother Jonathan have continued the family tradition, writing mainly on historical and military subjects including books on Hadrian's Wall, the Napoleonic wars and the two world wars, often in collaboration. Simon's latest book, published by Historic England, is D-Day UK: 100 Locations in Britain; Jonathan's Heavyweights: The Military Use of Massive Weapons. They are also co-authors of Tank Warfare 1939-1945.
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