Operation Barbarossa 1941

The Luftwaffe opens the Eastern Front campaign

Operation Barbarossa 1941 cover

Operation Barbarossa 1941

The Luftwaffe opens the Eastern Front campaign

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Description

Barbarossa was the biggest German invasion of World War II. Comprehensively illustrated, this study explores the air campaign that spearheaded it, and how it evolved during the rest of 1941.

The German invasion of the USSR, Operation Barbarossa, was the apex of Hitler's aggression. The strength of the Luftwaffe was gathered from across Europe for its opening strikes, where it faced a huge but badly equipped and ill-prepared Soviet Air Force (VVS) of 20,000 aircraft, which it quickly destroyed.

In this book, Eastern Front expert William E. Hiestand examines this shattering first campaign, as well as how the Barbarossa air war developed over the following months. He describes how between June and December 1941, Luftwaffe losses rose and aircraft readiness steadily decreased under the pressure of combat. He also analyses the evacuation of Soviet industry – including aircraft production – to the Urals, and the rebuilding of the VVS; by the time German columns stalled 25km from Moscow, the VVS had more operational aircraft at the front than the Luftwaffe. He also covers aspects such as the abortive VVS strikes on Berlin and other strategic targets, and the Luftwaffe's strategic bombing raids on Moscow.

With striking original artwork, 3D diagrams, maps and rare photos, this book reveals the full story of the aerial campaign in Barbarossa, as the devastation began in the most brutal theatre of World War II.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
Origins
CHRONOLOGY
ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES
The Luftwaffe at its peak
Command and control
Tactics and aircraft
Logistics and training
Leaders
Axis allies
Organization
Luftwaffe order of battle
DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES
Stalin's airpower
Command and control
Aircraft
Training, logistics, and maintenance
Leadership
Soviet order of battle

CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
Conquest in the east

THE CAMPAIGN
Spearheading the invasion
Barbarossa drives east
The Axis and Soviet air arms in mid-campaign
Operation Typhoon

AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS
FURTHER READING
INDEX

Product details

Published 15 Aug 2024
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472861511
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with 65 photos and 14 pages of colour illustrations
Series Air Campaign
Short code ACM 47
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

William E. Hiestand

William E. Hiestand has worked for over 30 years a…

Illustrator

Mads Bangsø

Mads Bangsø is an aviation artist with many years…

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Bloomsbury Collections

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