The first pathfinders
Subtitle: the operational history of Kampfgruppe 100, 1939-1941
By: Kenneth Wakefield.
Publisher: William Kimber
Published: 1981
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 256
Subjects: Germany. Luftwaffe. Kampfgruppe 100 -- History.; World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations, German.
Description: "With the British air defence system supreme by day, the Luftwaffe turned to concentrate their attention towards nocturnal bombing missions on major cities and ports. For this purpose they perfected the technique to become known as 'pathfinding'-- the illumination of the target area by a special force as a forerunner to an intense bombing raid. This vital role was to be played by Germany's best known bomber unit, Kampfgruppe 100. Within a detailed and full history of this unit from 1939 until 1941, comes a fascinating account of its operations over Britain, as night after night German bombers went about the systematic destruction of Britain's major cities. Much of the Luftwaffe's success in may of these attacks was due to Kampfgruppe 100's ability to drop incendiary bombs to start fires in the target area without falling victim to anti-aircraft guns or night-fighters. But high praise must go to the many civilians who acted as fire watchers, dousing the fires as soon as they took hold, and the fire services, together forming an effective team to frustrate the German onslaught by night. Although Kampfgruppe 100 stayed operational for less than two years to carry out this all-important special task, the Gruppe was assured a place in the annals of military history. They were the first pathfinders"--Jacket.
Notes: Bibliography: p. [197]-198.
Includes index.