Air Campaign- Korea 1950-53 B29s, Thunderjets & Skyraiders Fight the Strategic Bombing Campaign

When North Korea invaded S. Korea it was a total surprise to the United States in many ways. The once formidable U.S. military had been drastically downsized since the end of the Second World War (some 5 years before). The desperate need for UN air power on the Korean Peninsula meant pulling aircraft (and aircraft carriers) out of storage and crews out of their civilian lives. This Osprey Air Campaign Series book examines the strategic air campaign mounted by mostly U.S. forces during the Korean War. The author divides the air campaign into three phases, based on targeting emphases and strategic objectives. It is clear from the narrative that the U.S. Air Force and Navy were wrongfooted by the nature of the conflict but did their best to adapt. The circumstances of the war, including the provision of sanctuary for Communist forces in China and Soviet Union, would ultimately limit the effects of the air campaign, which were significant but not decisive in comparison to the Second World War. As usual in this series, this book has lots of very good period photographs, also with original illustrations, (featuring B-29s, MiG-15s, AD Skyraiders and Skyknight jet nightfighters in action). It also includes maps, 3D recreations of missions, Charts and explanatory 3D diagrams. This book is well recommended to students of the Korean War of 1950-53.