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The Armed Rovers: Beauforts and Beaufighters Over the Mediterranean Kindle Edition

by Roy Conyers Nesbit (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 301 ratings
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The little-known story of how the Royal Air Force kept supplies from reaching Rommel’s Afrika Korps, by an RAF veteran and renowned aviation historian.
 
By far the most dangerous of the RAF operations during the Second World War were daylight attacks on enemy shipping, yet little has been written about this aerial campaign and the brave airmen who took part. In particular, the intense air-sea battles that were fought in the Mediterranean have been neglected in histories of the war in North Africa and Italy. Roy Nesbit, in this classic account, sets the record straight by describing in vivid detail how a few RAF squadrons were successful in destroying supplies vital to the Italian and German armies during the fighting in Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia.
 
At critical moments during the land battles, during the dramatic advances and retreats that characterized the fighting in the desert, the failure of supplies to get through to Rommel’s Afrika Korps was decisive. But the casualties suffered by the airmen in these low-level attacks were daunting, as were those among the naval and merchant seamen whose vessels were targeted. This is their dramatic true story, by the author of The Royal Air Force: An Illustrated History From 1918 and Arctic Airmen.
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  1. Print length
    291 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Aviation
  5. Publication date
    July 19, 2014
  6. File size
    17051 KB
  7. Page Flip
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roy Conyers Nesbit has a long-established reputation as a leading aviation historian. His many books include The Royal Air Force: An Illustrated History From 1918, RAF in Camera, The Battle of Britain, The Battle For Europe, Arctic Airmen, Eyes of the RAF, The Battle of the Atlantic, Ultra Versus U-Boats, Reported Missing, The Battle for Burma and The Strike Wings.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01NBT5AYU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation; Illustrated edition (July 19, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 19, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 17051 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 291 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 301 ratings

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Roy Conyers Nesbit

Roy Conyers Nesbit

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
301 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
A excellent book, very intensive research has gone into producing this book. A must read for anyone interested in the MTO of WWII
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Andy Hill
4.0 out of 5 stars On target
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2013
The Armed Rovers (Beauforts and Beaufighters over the Mediterranean) by Roy Conyers Nesbit. Published by Pen & Sword. ISBN 9781848848955

Were all aware of the relatively low survival rates for German U-Boat crews and Allied Heavy bomber crews during WW2, but I doubt many would be so aware of the perilously low survival rates for RAF Strike Squadrons (Torpedo bomber & Light bomber). In late November 1942 Air Marshal Garrod sent a report to Air Marshal Sutton detailing the RAF's operational casualties up to that point. It duly noted that the Strike Sqns had survival rates of 17% and 25% respectively) for a single completed tour, compared to 44% for the Heavy & Medium Sqns of Bomber Command. However even more stark was the figures give for completing 2 tours, just 3% for the Torpedo bombers and 6% for the Light bombers. This compared to the 19% of the aforementioned Bomber Command Sqns. The report was never made public or circulated within the RAF, but this is backdrop of Nesbits work which concentrates on the activities of the Strike Sqs in the Mediterranean theatre.

There are many facets as to why survival rates were so low, and one of the main culprits during the early stages of the war was the obsolete equipment which abounded. The book charts throughout the replacement and modification of aircraft, from the Vilderbeest to Beauforts to Beaufighters and a miscellany of aircraft in between. Eight squadrons in particular make up the bulk of this books content: 39,42,47,144,227,252,272 ad 603, and the aircrew its human dimension.

The book is split into some 11 Chapters covering from 1941 through to the wars end in 1945. All the Chapters can be read as a stand alone narrative and I must say that I found the Chapters 6 (Fuel for the Panzerarmee), 10 Sideshow) and 11 (Rocket Squadron) particularly interesting. Fuel for the Panzerarmee, details out the vital work undertaken and acknowledged by Rommel, in interdicting his vital supply route from Italy too North Africa, severely limiting his freedom of action at critical phases of the war. Sideshow as the chapter title suggests concentrates on the part played by the Strike squadrons in pursuing Churchill's misguided or under resourced Aegean foray. Finally Rocket Squadron describes the relatively late introduction of Rocket armed aircraft into this specific arena, and the impact it had on accelerating enemy vessels being sunk. Though I've highlighted three the remaining eight Chapters offer other specific insights into the campaign waged by these Squadrons.

This book is a re-print of the 1995 original and as such the book suffers in my opinion from a lack of maps/diagrams, as one might expect in a more modern book on the subject. There is a decent selection of photographs, though again being somewhat greedy I would have liked more! There is a Bibliography but sadly the book isn't Noted, thus though it doesn't detract from the books actual content, the lack thereof severely limits your ability for specific research in the numerous AIR files listed in the Bibliography. Nesbits writing style is very energetic and engaging, enabling him to convey his own experiences and share his knowledge in an informative manner.
The book is fairly priced at just under £20, so within the reach of many a interested party.

4 out 5 Stars
7 people found this helpful
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Adriano Baumgartner
5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed ship losses and Strike mission reports.
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Again, a fantastic work of Nesbit. Fully recommended for all interested on Strike missions on the Mediterranean Theater. Lot of actions, details, however not so much pictures. Amazing work, though.
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Andy Wright
4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2007
This is the perfect book to get an overview of anti-shipping operations in the Mediterranean by the RAF particularly if, like me, you're planning to do a lot more reading on the subject. This book really sets the scene. A fair bit of it reads like "The next day four Beaufighters of 272 Sqn in the anti flak role accompanied eight Beauforts of 39 Sqn..." and then details of any successes or losses. This might not be your cup of tea but it does strike home how frenetic these ops were as the pace is relentless and before you know it, you've read a chapter!

As much as possible, Nesbit includes details of particular crews on each trip and there are some interesting anecdotes regarding particular attacks, evasions etc. This is all put in context by the author describing what was going on in the theatre and war at that time. The flying is described matter of factly but I had to keep reminding myself that these guys rarely flew very high so any error of judgement often meant ploughing into the sea. Brave men indeed.

I thoroughly recommend The Armed Rovers to anyone looking for an overview of this aspect of the Mediterranean Theatre.
One person found this helpful
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Ned Middleton
5.0 out of 5 stars Written by one who was there!
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2007
For most of WW2 Axis forces occupied the northern Mediterranean coastline. This is why convoys to Alexandria in Egypt in support of the British 8th Army were routed via South Africa and the Red Sea. It is also why beleaguered Malta became so desperate for food and supplies that, at one point, she was within days of surrender. Not all those problems, however, were one-sided. Rommel had to be supplied in north Africa and elsewhere other German troops needed support for their campaigns in Greece and elsewhere.

The only thing stopping these supplies from reaching their various destinations were a small band of pilots flying Beauforts and Beaufighters - although the good old Blenheim does get the occasional mention.

Roy Nesbit joined the RAFVR (the "VR" stands for Volunteer Reserve and is the equivalent of the British Army's Territorials) in 1939 and, as an Air Navigator, completed 49 operational sorties in Bristol Beauforts during which he was Mentioned in Despatches. He is, therefore, well qualified to write about the work of this type of aircraft during WW2.

"The Armed Rovers" is a hard-back book measuring 240 mm x 160 mm and containing 240 pages of well written and well researched material. There is also a selection of 36 black and white photographs placed together after page 96.

The book is designed and written in such a way that we come to understand almost every single element of the squadrons and their makeup before getting down to specifics. It is full of official accounts and personal stories of what happened during this attack and that, to which are added all the equally personal anecdotes of those who took part. In short, this book could convert anyone into having a passion for the subject.

As is so often the case with books of this type, a close scrutiny of the photographs will always reveal the depth of research undertaken by the author. In this case it is faultless as we discover a mixture of personal and professional photographs that add a great deal to this previously under-rated and under recorded aspect of WW2. Pictures of individuals whose stories appear elsewhere in the book appear alongside those of groups, various aircraft and even attacks on shipping.

Apart from the author's own first hand experiences, he has also studied official records from Italy and Germany in addition to those from Britain. His overall analysis is simply first class and well worth the full marks I have given to the end product.

NM
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Top reviews from other countries

Rob
4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed operational history of rarely documented aircraft
Reviewed in Australia on August 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
Painstakingly compiled, this operational history lacks some story-telling flair, but is unquestionably detailed. If you have relative who flew Beauforts or Beaufighters over the Mediterranean who is not named in this book, I'd be asking why... The author could have given more insight into the aircraft history and why they were chosen for this theatre, and whether the loss rate was an issue for the crews.
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Gregg Butler
5.0 out of 5 stars A topic not covered enough by historians or the media.
Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2015
Verified Purchase
My grand father flew Bristol Beaufighters during WWII and this is the first book I have ever found that centers on his squadron. He passed away before I was born, so reading this story helped put some of his life in context for me. Reading this story really put into perspective the daily risks these men took with every mission they flew. The survival rates of their missions were one of the worst in the war, even more dangerous than bomber command. He flew 4 tours during the war. This book captures the details and feeling of what it was like for the pilots of these multi-purposed planes. Thank you for the treat.
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Mitchypoos
4.0 out of 5 stars An informative account.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
A very interesting review of the airborne maritime offensive operations in the Mediterranean theatre during WW2. Many of the accounts are very similar which can make the accounts quite repetitive but that is exactly how it was. Overall a splendid tribute to all those who served in this endeavour.
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Phil Carpenter
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
it is one of a kind
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Paul Ralph
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read, but
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
I found the book very interesting, but this was almost ruined by awful proof reading. Obviously the proof reader does not understand or have an interest in the subject. The errors are simplistic but numerous.
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