{"product_id":"from-the-ruhr-to-the-steve-holmes-9781915335302","title":"From the Ruhr to the Rhine: No. 196 Squadron - Part 1 1942 - 1943","description":"\u003cp\u003eNo.196 Squadron was reformed at RAF Driffield, Yorkshire, on November 7th 1942, as a night bomber unit in No. 4 Group, RAF Bomber Command. The squadron was initially equipped with the sturdy\u003cbr\u003eand reliable Vickers Wellington Mk.X. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom the outset, the squadron was heavily committed to attacks on the German U-Boat pens on the French coast. Operating almost continuously during the Battle of the Ruhr, the squadron suffered grievous losses in men and aircraft. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn July 1943, the Squadron transferred to No.3 Group and started conversion to the Short Stirling Mk.III, operating from the newly opened RAF Witchford, and soon became heavily engaged in Bomber Commands' autumn and early winter campaigns. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith increased activity over German targets and revitalised German defences, the losses suffered by 196 Squadron, along with the Group's other Short Stirling equipped squadrons, steadily reached unacceptable levels. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn November 1943, despite having proved itself repeatedly, No.196 was unceremoniously transferred to No.38 Group, much against the aircrew's wishes. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis book recalls the achievements of a squadron that quietly fought a life-and-death battle over occupied Europe and Germany, almost unknown outside the parent group.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Steve Holmes, Steve C. Smith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1915335302\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781915335302\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Aviation Books Ltd.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/02\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 290\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.49lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.61d","brand":"Steve Holmes","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45897513435391,"sku":"9781915335302","price":28.04,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_709af781-3441-46d4-990c-6c8d786c8322.jpg?v=1721374103","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/from-the-ruhr-to-the-steve-holmes-9781915335302","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}