“Big Week” 1944

Douglas C. Dildy is a USAF Academy graduate and former USAF colonel with a degree in history. He attended the US Armed Forces Staff College and USAF Air War College and holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science. Doug has written campaign studies of the Battle of Britain for both the RAF Salute magazine and the USAF's Air Power History journal. He has also authored several articles covering the Dutch, Danish and Norwegian air arms' defence against the German invasions of 1940 for notable US aviation history magazines. He is a regular contributor to the amateur modelling magazine Small Air Forces Observer. He lives in Alberquerque, New Mexico, USA.Graham Turner is a leading historical artist, specializing in the medieval period. He has illustrated numerous titles for Osprey, covering a wide variety of subjects from the dress of the 10th-century armies of the Caliphates, through the action of bloody medieval battles, to the daily life of the British Redcoat of the late 18th century. The son of the illustrator Michael Turner, Graham lives and works in Buckinghamshire, UK.

The book is wonderfully supplemented by the usual stunning artwork known in many of the Osprey series. There are excellent maps, orders of battle, and a good selection of photographs. I found few if any editing errors in this book. It is a fantastic look at a very focused and short campaign in February 1944 that was deemed crucial to the success of the impending Allied invasion. In fact by April 1944, the USAAF switched priorities and focus by being subordinated to Eisenhower for invasion support. If you are looking for a compact yet comprehensive and affordable look at Operation Argument, then this is the book for you.

• INTRODUCTIONCHRONOLOGYATTACKER’S CAPABILITIES-The Pointblank Directive-Aircraft: their capabilities, roles, and missions-CommandersORDERS OF BATTLE, February 1944DEFENDER’S CAPABILITIES-The Luftwaffe’s air defence system-Aircraft: their capabilities, roles, and missions-CommandersCAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES-“Black Week” – the crisis of American daylight strategicbombing-The Luftwaffe’s response-Operation Argument planningTHE CAMPAIGN-Eighth AF Mission 226, February 20-Eighth AF Mission 228, February 21-Eighth AF Mission 230, February 22-Fifteenth AF Missions, February 22, 23, and 24-Eighth AF Mission No.233, February 24-Eighth and Fifteenth AF Missions, February 25AFTERMATH AND ASSESSMENTBIBLIOGRAPHYINDEX