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A mine of information and is thus recommended to all Spitfire fans -- Model Airplane International
Product Description
The Spitfire was the most iconic and famous British fighter of World War II and was first deployed to Egypt in the spring of 1942 as German success in North Africa reached its zenith. Although few in number, in their early battles with the Luftwaffe the RAF and South African Spitfire squadrons made an immediate impact and in contributed to the successful build up to the Battle of El Alamein and in the subsequent advance over the desert.
Soon afterwards, further Spitfire squadrons, many led by experienced aces form Europe who soon began adding to their scores, were landed in French North Africa. In the bitter fighting that followed, the units wrested air superiority from the enemy in the skies above Tunisia until the final enemy surrender in May 1943. The RAF, RCAF, RAAF and SAAF Spitfire squadrons then played a huge part in covering the Allied landing in Sicily and in supporting the island's subsequent capture.
Based in captured airfields these units then also covered the Allied landings at Messina and Salerno as the Italian campaign began. They were to see bitter air fighting against a determined Luftwaffe and a significant number of pilots became aces whilst other aces added to their scores. The Spitfire squadrons were heavily engaged in the fighting following the landings at Anzio and also in the long and bloody battle at Cassino. Among the many aces that commanded squadron here was the now Sqn Ldr Duke, who took his score to 26 destroyed. During the summer of 1944 Italian-based Spitfires supported the Allied landings in Southern France - Operation Dragoon - and also flying sorties over Yugoslavia in support of Tito's partisans.
The large number of Spitfire squadrons continued in action against the enemy into 1945, though as the Luftwaffe had been heavily defeated and largely withdrawn to Germany, encounters were few and far between. Close to 100 aces either attained this status or added to their scores when flying Spitfires during the North African and Italian campaigns whilst many more aces flew the type in action there, though without making any claims.
Soon afterwards, further Spitfire squadrons, many led by experienced aces form Europe who soon began adding to their scores, were landed in French North Africa. In the bitter fighting that followed, the units wrested air superiority from the enemy in the skies above Tunisia until the final enemy surrender in May 1943. The RAF, RCAF, RAAF and SAAF Spitfire squadrons then played a huge part in covering the Allied landing in Sicily and in supporting the island's subsequent capture.
Based in captured airfields these units then also covered the Allied landings at Messina and Salerno as the Italian campaign began. They were to see bitter air fighting against a determined Luftwaffe and a significant number of pilots became aces whilst other aces added to their scores. The Spitfire squadrons were heavily engaged in the fighting following the landings at Anzio and also in the long and bloody battle at Cassino. Among the many aces that commanded squadron here was the now Sqn Ldr Duke, who took his score to 26 destroyed. During the summer of 1944 Italian-based Spitfires supported the Allied landings in Southern France - Operation Dragoon - and also flying sorties over Yugoslavia in support of Tito's partisans.
The large number of Spitfire squadrons continued in action against the enemy into 1945, though as the Luftwaffe had been heavily defeated and largely withdrawn to Germany, encounters were few and far between. Close to 100 aces either attained this status or added to their scores when flying Spitfires during the North African and Italian campaigns whilst many more aces flew the type in action there, though without making any claims.
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5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Desert/MTO Spitfire Aces!, April 23 2011
By Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" - Published on Amazon.com
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This review is from: Spitfire Aces of North Africa and Italy (Paperback)
By early 1942, Luftwaffe Bf 109Fs were giving Commonwealth P-40s and Hurris a hard time. To regain air superiority, Spifires - Mark Vs and later Mark IXs - were belatedly committed to the North African fighting and soon had matters in hand. Andrew Thomas' SPITFIRE ACES OF NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY chronicles the exploits of the Spit pilots who flew and fought over the Desert and Italy in this entertaining 2011 Osprey Publishing release, #98 in their 'Aircraft of the Aces' series.When Spit squadrons such as No. 145 and 92 entered combat in June 1942, they found themselves pitted against skilled, determined Bf 109 pilots flying the best Bf 109 models of the war. Nevertheless, pilots, some of whom were BoB aces, began taking the measure of the Messerchmitt. Pilots like Bruce Ingram, Joe Sabourin, 'Sammy' Samouelle, Neville Duke and Jeff Wedgewood all notched up kills. With the November 1942 Torch landings, Spit units like 242, 81, 93 and 111 Squadrons found themselves with a target-rich environment. Even as pilots like Lance Wade, 'Robbie' Robinson and Stanislaw Skalski rang up victories, the introduction of the redoubtable FW 190 in March 1943 threatened Allied air efforts. In short order, the British brought in Mark IX models and the see-saw battle for air superiority continued. The invasion of Sicily and then Italy in mid-1943 produced more opportunities for air combat but then, as the slog up Italy wore on, more and more Luftwaffe units were pulled out of the MTO for Reich air defense and air combat dwindled. By war's end, over 60 Spitfire aces had been crowned. More importantly, the Supermarine fighter had played a significant role in the MTO campiagn.
Andy Thomas, one of Osprey's better writers, covers the exploits of Desert/MTO aces in his usual entertaining fashion. The text is complimented by dozens of b&w photographs and nicely-done color profiles by Chris Davey. Also noteworthy is Mark Postlethwaite's dramatic cover art. It's one of his best artworks for Osprey yet.
All in all, 'Aircraft of the Aces' #98 is an informative summary of some sharpshooting Allied aces and an engaging read. Recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spitfire Aces of North Africa and Italy, May 13 2011
By Karl Pople - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Spitfire Aces of North Africa and Italy (Paperback)
Terrific book, and another valued addition to my collection of Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces. Well researched, and with new information on more Spitfire aces in this theater not previously covered in the other Spitfire Aces volumes. Includes the usual beautiful profile artwork with descriptive captions at the end of the book, I would highly recommend this volume.
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