BOEKEN  LIVRES BOOKS

German and Italian Aircraft Carriers of World War


B O E K B E S P R E K I N G by : Frank NEYTS

Osprey Publishing issued a most interesting booklet “German and Italian Aircraft Carriers of World War II”. The book is written by Douglas C. Dildy and Ryan K. Noppen and illustrated by Paul Wright. To send a modern aircraft carrier into battle in World War II would have been the ultimate symbol of Axis’ challenge to Allied naval might. Hitler’s announcement of a fleet carrier program in 1935 led to the construction of the Graf Zeppelin-class, the lead ship of which was launched in 1938. But when World War II came, Germany was forced to downgrade its ambitions. Graf Zeppelin was never completed, and even the less lofty plans of both Germany and Italy to convert existing ships into carriers came to nothing. This book explains the role of naval aviation in the two powers’ rearmament programs, and how wartime experience proved how challenging it is for even a powerful navy to build and operate aircraft carriers. Packed with new artwork and archive photos, it tells the history of the Graf Zeppelin, the Italian attempts to convert the liners Roma and Augustus, and other German and Italian carrier conversion projects which never left the shipyard or the drawing board.
Like all publications of Osprey Publishing, a most interesting book !

“German and Italian Aircraft Carriers of World War II” (ISBN 978 1 4728 4676 1), a softback, counts 48 pages and costs £11.99, P&P exclusive. One can buy the book in the better bookshop or direct with the publishers: Via the Osprey website: www.ospreypublishing.com

 

 

 

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