{"product_id":"operation-barbarossa-1941-the-luftwaffe-opens-the-eastern-front-campaign-9781472861504","title":"Operation Barbarossa 1941: The Luftwaffe Opens the Eastern Front Campaign","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBarbarossa\u003c\/i\u003e was the biggest German invasion of World War II. Comprehensively illustrated, this study explores the air campaign that spearheaded it, and how it evolved during the rest of 1941.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe German invasion of the USSR, Operation \u003ci\u003eBarbarossa\u003c\/i\u003e, was the apex of Hitler's aggression. The strength of the Luftwaffe was gathered from across Europe for its opening strikes, where it faced a huge but badly equipped and ill-prepared Soviet Air Force (VVS) of 20,000 aircraft, which it quickly destroyed. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this book, Eastern Front expert William E. Hiestand examines this shattering first campaign, as well as how the \u003ci\u003eBarbarossa \u003c\/i\u003eair war developed over the following months. He describes how between June and December 1941, Luftwaffe losses rose and aircraft readiness steadily decreased under the pressure of combat. He also analyses the evacuation of Soviet industry - including aircraft production - to the Urals, and the rebuilding of the VVS; by the time German columns stalled 25km from Moscow, the VVS had more operational aircraft at the front than the Luftwaffe. He also covers aspects such as the abortive VVS strikes on Berlin and other strategic targets, and the Luftwaffe's strategic bombing raids on Moscow. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith striking original artwork, 3D diagrams, maps and rare photos, this book reveals the full story of the aerial campaign in \u003ci\u003eBarbarossa\u003c\/i\u003e, as the devastation began in the most brutal theatre of World War II.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam E. Hiestand \u003c\/b\u003ehas worked for over 30 years as a US Department of Defense analyst, focusing on military issues and serving in a wide variety of analytic, leadership and representational roles. He holds an MA in History from Cornell University, and has a lifelong interest in military history with a particular focus on 20th-century armoured and mechanized operations and Soviet military history. He lives in Virginia near Washington DC.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Osprey Publishing (UK)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50893702234386,"sku":"9781472861504","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_4c233d5b-2e31-47be-8e6a-8198a5be7b43.jpg?v=1738233768","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/operation-barbarossa-1941-the-luftwaffe-opens-the-eastern-front-campaign-9781472861504","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}