Death from the Heavens: A History of Strategic Bombing

Death from the Heavens is a survey of strategic bombardment from its beginnings to usage in current conflict. It covers the theory, hardware, and operations of this specialized type of warfare and is based on both primary and secondary sources.

Though the subject matter is primarily focused on American activities, it puts them into a larger context and relates all developments to those of foreign countries, including British, German, and Russian forces and strategy.

Werrell covers both air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missiles, as well as the development of the bombing aircraft in detail. Examining the topic in terms of chronology, nationality, actual operations, and technology, this is a major new work on aviation warfare, both in terms of tactical and strategic analysis, whilst calling into question the true military value of strategic bombardment in relation to current conflicts.

About the Author Kenneth P. Werrell graduated in the second class of the USAF Academy in 1960 and went on to pilot a weather reconnaissance aircraft flying into 44 Pacific typhoons and observing the last above ground nuclear test.