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H/B 1981(ISBN 0 7183 0078 5) H/B (2) USA Edition 1981.(ISBN 0 933852 23 1) (3) Russian Edition, AST, Moscow, 2003 H/B, (4) New UK H/B Edition, Pen & Sword Publishing, Barnsley, 2007.
For the first time the incredible history of the dive bomber is told from both official records and eyewitness accounts. Tearing away the many myths and mis-representations that surrounded this type of warplane, the author presented a truly original and detailed history, from the first true combat dive bombing by an RAF pilot in 1917, to the last stirring actions and covers dive bombers of every nation that employed the type.
Interviews with the pilots who actually flew the combat missions in dive bombing aircraft of all the combatants gave unique first-hand eyewitness viewpoints on many of the major actions and methods employed, and swept away some of the long-standing third-hand and third-rate tales that still hold currency today. From a detailed description of what it was like to fly the very first dive-bomber missions into Poland on 1st September, 1939; through equally enthralling accounts of British attacks on German warships during the Norwegian campaign; Stuka missions against the French and British forces in May and June, 1940, and on throughout the war with aircrew from all the major participants giving their view from the cockpit, on such events as the crippling of the Illustrious to the Battle of Midway, this is an enthralling account of the air war from the sharp end.
The Naval Aviation News of Washington DC, said of this book:- "Based on interviews with crews who were there and some scholarly research, the author has given us the first detailed history of dive-bombing... All considered, this well-researched, well-documented book should make good reading for anyone with an intested in the subject." The RAAF News, from Canberra ACT, said: "Although Smith's book is a scientific study of the evolution of dive-bombing techniques, there are frequent personal accounts included in the book covering all conflicts from World War I to Vietnam, that serve to make the complete story most easy to read." Lloyd's List of London added:- "His enormous research has produced accounts from the pilots themselves... Source notes, bibliography and index are added to a valuable study which immediately becomes a standard reference." Finally the Manchester Evening News wrote:- " Mr Smith has yet to produce an account of any sphere of war which he has not meticulously documented, and his latest is as thorough as all his others. This is the definitive book..." Peter Rickard reviewing the new edition for the Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association in 2007 wrote that the text was "clear and absorbing" and the book was"exciting, vibrant, well-presented and contributing in a major way to the overall history of air warfare with lessons just as applicable in today's conflicts." He added, "Peter Smith is to be congratulated on a first class contribution to air warfare history..". The reviewer for Cross & Cockade International stated; "I enjoyed reading this book..."