Spitfire Aces Of Northwest Europe 19441945 1st Edition Andrew Thomas by Andrew Thomas 9781782003380, 178200338X instant download after payment.

After seizing air superiority over France before D-Day, the Spitfire battled Luftwaffe fighters over the V-2 rocket sites and Nazi Germany itself.

The iconic Spitfire underwent steady development throughout its service life, and by the start of 1944 it was the RAF's most numerous day fighter, equipping dozens of squadrons in the newly formed 2nd TAF and the Air Defense of Great Britain. Squadrons of both commands were heavily involved in the "softening" of tactical targets in France before D-Day, not only with fighter-bomber attacks but also escorting Allied medium bomber raids. Although the Griffon-engined Spitfire was entering service, it was the Merlin-engined variants (models V, IX and XVI) that predominated through to the end of the war. Based at airfields throughout southern England, the Merlin Spitfire squadrons provided the bulk of the air cover for the D-Day landings. Shortly afterwards, most 2nd TAF squadrons moved the Continent to be initially based on hastily leveled strips. As the Luftwaffe attempted to counter Allied air superiority, a large number of pilots flying Merlin Spitfires built substantial scores as they followed the Allied armies across Northwest Europe - it was RCAF Merlin Spitfires that claimed the first Me 262 jet to be shot down.

As Allied forces entered Germany, the Spitfire units were often engaged by the Luftwaffe in savage air combat over the shrinking Third Reich. These encounters resulted in high scores for the Allied fighter units. The Merlin Spitfire squadrons from the RAF, RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF and "Free European" squadrons also flew an increasing number of ground attack sorties during the last months of the war. =