Vultee Vengeance in Battle

During World War II, the American-built Vultee Vengeance dive-bomber was used by the Royal Air Force and Indian Air Force in the Burma Campaigns of 1942-45. It was a single-engine, all-metal aircraft that was ordered by the Ministry of Supply during the darkest days of the war. The RAF had rejected the dive-bomber concept in the inter-war period, but the Vengeance arrived when the Japanese were on the borders of Burma and India. The aircraft was highly accurate and was used by the Allied Armies on the ground, but by 1945, all had been replaced.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2019
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The remarkable combat career of the American-built Vultee Vengeance dive-bomber is vividly depicted in this book, encompassing its service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Indian Air Force during the Burma Campaigns of 1942-45. This single-engine, all-metal aircraft was commissioned by the Ministry of Supply during the darkest days of World War II, when the formidable German alliance of Junkers Ju.87 Stuka and Panzer tank forces had swiftly conquered most of Europe in a campaign lasting mere weeks, and the invasion of Britain was deemed imminent. The RAF had initially developed the dive-bomber concept in 1917, but it had consistently been rejected in the inter-war period, as heavy bombing remained the dominant mindset among official decision-makers. However, by the time the Vengeance arrived, a still-reluctant RAF was in search of a precision bomber to prevent a repetition of the Japanese Naval attacks in the Indian Ocean. Consequently, six squadrons were established to counter this threat.

These aircraft, originally intended for a different purpose, proved to be the most accurate bomber aircraft operated by the British up to that time. With the Japanese forces encroaching on Burma and India, these aircraft, no longer required for their original role, became crucial in the defense of the region. The Allied Armies on the ground, including Orde Wingate's Chindits, fervently advocated for their continued use, considering them essential to their operations. Regrettably, their pleas fell on deaf ears, and by 1945, all Vultee Vengeance dive-bombers had been replaced.

Since then, the achievements of these remarkable aircraft have been disregarded, falsified, or subjected to scorn. However, in this book, we present the full and accurate story of the Vultee Vengeance dive-bomber, based on firsthand accounts and official records. Through these narratives, we aim to shed light on the untold tales of these aircraft and their invaluable contributions to the war effort. The Vultee Vengeance dive-bomber stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Its remarkable combat record and the sacrifices made by its pilots and crew deserve to be recognized and celebrated for generations to come.

Weight: 708g
Dimension: 238 x 151 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526704566