Military Model Scene

Title: Hitler's V-Weapons
Author: John Grehan
Publisher: Frontline Books
ISBN: 978-1-52677-005-9

This new 328-page hardback is a collection of original reports and records compiled by the Air Ministry on the story of the war against the V-weapons, both V-1 and V-2. With a modern preface from author John Grehan, the rest are reproductions of information held within the National Archives.
The book is divided into 7 Parts, each one sub-divided into a number of sub-sections. Added to that are no less than 18 Appendices, with lots more very detailed information on different aspects of the whole story. There was the gathering of intelligence in the first place and other elements which indicate the level of importance which the British Government attached to the issue. The Committee under Duncan Sandys, the opposition to the interpretation of the intelligence on the V-2 by Lord Cherwell and the nerve for taking the decision to relocate the anti-aircraft defences of London from a close ring of the city to the South Coast. This gave a space for free-fire by the AA defences, while in front of that and behind, the RAF could have a go. That was for the V-1 of course, as there was no defence against the V-2. Then there is the bombing campaign against production and launch site. Despite all these efforts, some still got through, and destruction of homes not only resulted in deaths, but absenteeism from affected workers also had to be accounted for. Even in 1945 there were still rocket attacks taking place, and attention is also given to The Hague, in Holland, where many were launched from.
I have long had an interest in the V-weapons of WW2 and found this most interesting, extending my existing knowledge of what was involved. I like this for the level of detail it contains but also that is records facts and historical events and how so many factors had to be taken into account to tell the real story. If you have an interest in the German V-weapons of WW2, I would say this should be one of your basic references. Definitely reccommended.
Thanks to Frontline Books for our review copy.

Robin