The Air War Against Scotland 1939-45

The first detailed history of the Second World War air raids on Scotland, The Air War Against Scotland, 1939–45 documents every known flight made by a German aircraft over or around Scotland, every bomb dropped on the country and every known fatality resulting from these attacks. It also covers attacks on shipping, including fishing fleets operating around the Scottish coast, as well as every known photographic and meteorological reconnaissance flight. The response of Fighter Command and Scotland’s air defence system to each attack is examined, together with details of all German aircraft lost in and around the country.

The book also explores some of the more unusual aspects of the air war, including missions to insert German spies into Scotland; the flight of Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, in an attempt to secure a separate peace between the UK and Germany; and the flights from Norway in May 1945 to discuss the surrender of German troops stationed there.

Drawing on historical documents from Germany, the UK, Russia and the United States, and featuring many previously unpublished photographs, The Air War Against Scotland, 1939–45 provides a day-by-day account of the air raids conducted between September 1939 and April 1945. In doing so, it offers an entirely new perspective on how Scotland was affected by the Second World War.