Firestorm Hamburg - Martin Middlebrook

In July 1943 a series of heavy bombing raids virtually destroyed the North German city of Hamburg. In one night alone some 40,000 people were killed largely as a result of the terrible firestorm. To this day controversy rages as to the morality of these attacks and their consequences. - - With his trademark thoroughness Martin Middlebrook has delved deep into the archives to uncover the facts. As ever he draws on copious eyewitnesses and participants
a total of 547 British, American and German. The testimonies of the Hamburg survivors are particularly revealing and harrowing providing a first hand description of what it was like to be subjected to prolonged and intense air attack. - - Paradoxically while Hamburg was arguably Bomber Commands greatest achievement it remains its - and Air Marshal Harris - most criticised. Often overlooked was the USAAFs role and this together with the contribution to the failure of German air defences of a new device, Window, are fully covered. - - Firestorm Hamburg is a masterly description of a major air campaign and the Authors aim of achieving a better understanding of the background, conduct and results is fully realised. He does not shirk from studying the moral dilemma. -