Osprey Duel Series: Bf 110 vs Lancaster, M10 vs StuG III, and F4F vs A6M
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Overview
The Osprey Duel Series has released several new titles recently, covering the Second World War from the Pacific to Europe, both day and night skies, as well as on the ground. Here's an overview of the three latest titles.
Bf 110 vs Lancaster 1942-45
Duel Series 51
Author: Robert Forczyk
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-78096-316-7
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 80
The British Bomber Command unleashed a comprehensive night strategic bombing campaign against Germany in an attempt to bring the German war machine to its knees. Targeting major German cities, the aircraft utilized precision nighttime navigation and bombing techniques and the best of the best was the Avro Lancaster. Its excellent performance, durability, and payload capacity quickly made it the preferred bomber for night flights over Germany.
Facing this aircraft were a handful of night fighter aircraft, many of which were repurposed day fighters. The concept of the heavy fighter fell out of favor during the day, but at night, aircraft such as the Bf 110 became deadly adversaries. Advances in radar systems, coupled with reliable and powerful weaponry made the Bf 110 the best response to the British nighttime bomber raids.
In typical Duel Series fashion describes both aircraft, as well as the overall strategic situation and the ultimate outcome.
M10 Tank Destroyer vs StuG III Assault Gun Germany 1944
Duel Series 53
Author: Steven J. Zaloga
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-78096-099-9
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 80
While the Tiger and Sherman tanks are probably the best known tanks of the Second World War, there were quite a few other types that clashed on the fields of Europe. Such is the case of the M10 Tank Destroyer and StuG III Assault Gun. Both of these vehicles were used for similar missions, although somewhat in reverse. The M10 was originally designed as a tank destroyer, but found itself switching to an infantry support vehicle when German tank firepower rendered it ineffective. The StuG III, on the other hand, was originally designed as an infantry support vehicle but was upgunned and turned into an effective tank against enemy armor.
Both of these vehicles encountered one another in the Allied push towards Germany, and this book covers those exchanges in detail. Like other titles in the Duel Series, this one has some great artwork and period photos showing both vehicles in operation.
F4F Wildcat vs A6M Zero-Sen Pacific Theater 1942
Duel Series 54
Author: Edward M. Young
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-78096-322-8
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 80
The first aerial battles in the Pacific saw the highly nimble A6M Zero against the durable F4F Wildcat. The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was undoubtedly the best all-around naval fighter at the beginning of the war, as it was maneuverable and fast, while boasting an excellent maximum altitude and a quick rate of climb to reach it. The Wildcat, on the other hand, could take a lot of punishment and had better firepower. These two aircraft needed very different tactics to take advantage of their strengths while minimizing their weaknesses, and this Duel Series title covers how each type tried to gain the upper hand in 1942.
All three of these Duel Series titles contain plenty of photos, lots of drawings and maps, and some great artwork. For a snapshot of conflict, these are great titles to have as they put the subjects immediately into their element and provide a great historical reference point for the pairings. My thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copies.