Lancaster: The Second World War's Greatest Bomber

by Leo McKinstry

The Spitfire and the Lancaster were the two RAF weapons of victory in the Second World War, but the glamour of the fighter has tended to overshadow the performance of the heavy bomber. Yet without the Lancaster, Britain would never have been able to take the fight to the German homeland. Highlights the scale of the bomber’s achievements, including the famous Dambusters attacks. With its vast bomb bay, ease of handling and surprising speed, the mighty Lancaster transformed the effectiveness of the Bomber Command. Whilst addressing the political controversy surrounding the bombing offensive against Germany, Leo McKinstry also weaves individual tales into this compelling narrative. Rich characters are brought to life, such as Roy Chadwick the designer, who taught himself engineering at night school and Sir Arthur Harris, the austere head of the Bomber Command. This is a rich saga, a story of triumph over disaster and the history of an iconic plane.

Genres: History, World War II, Aviation, Military History, Nonfiction, War, Historical

732 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2009

About the author

Leo McKinstry writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. He has also written nine books including a life of Geoff Boycott, which was recently named one of the finest cricket books written in a Wisden poll. His best-selling biography of the footballing Charlton brothers was a top-ten bestseller and won the Sports Book of the Year award, while his study of Lord Rosebery won Channel Four Political Book of the year. Most recently he has written a trilogy about the RAF in the Second World War, including Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane.

Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.

Reviews

[Rupert Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd use the word "exhaustive" to describe this book. or maybe "exhausting".
At nudging 600 pages this is a long book. As the title might suggest it follows the career of the Lancaster bomber, built by Avro, which turned out [after a couple of false starts] to be the most effective bomber of World War II.
The book is at its best when it is talking about the bomber and the men who played a role in is development from inception through various versions and special adaptations to its demise with the coming of the jet engine - and of peace. It looks at the role of the Air Ministry in producing requirements and specifications for aircraft for the RAF, the role of companies and individual men in the designing of aircraft and finally at the fate of the aircraft when they entered action. Although the Lancaster is the main focus of attention, the book also covers the Wellington, Halifax, Stirling, Hampden and others - although in considerably less detail.
I felt that the book was rather less successful when dealing with the missions the Lancaster flew and incidents within them. Many of these were interesting anecdotes and thrilling adventures, but they were not very illuminating about the Lancaster itself. If we had had the account of a raid which revealed something about the Lancaster, then fair enough. But too often it did no such thing - interesting though it might be on its own terms.
And the post-war section was a bit sketchy.
Never mind. This is a magisterial account of the career of the Avro bomber and the men involved with it.

[Chin Joo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that covers all aspects of the great bomber, from its inception to its missions, from how it was built in the factories to how the crews at the airfields refuel, and load the bombs. Most of all, the author also frankly discussed all the great and controversial missions that the Lancaster took part in. But the liveliest parts of the books are those that quoted from the crews first hand or from their diaries.

Personally I enjoyed the parts detailing the missions best. They are exciting, chilling, and sad at the same time. The descriptions provided by the author vividly brought out the situations the crews faced, inside the crammed bomber for hours, the thoughts that went through their minds before, during, and after their missions, but most of all the camaraderie among them. I must also mention that a lot of description was also given on the dynamics within the command, from the government to the Air Ministry to the commander of Bomber Command, Sir Arthur Harris.

The book surely cannot be faulted for poor scholarship, for if the author can cover almost every aspect of the bomber, he must have done his work. Alas, this also is (for me) a problem because some parts become too dry, others become a little of a letdown. For example, I was eagerly looking forward to this chapter called 'The Tirpitz was doomed' thinking that it must be one that is dedicated to the destruction of the ship. But the first half of that chapter was on something else (to avoid being too much of a spoiler).

I must stress again that I have tremendous respect for the author's scholarship and efforts. But for me, there are just too many parts that are too heavy-going for me. But for anyone who wants to know this great bomber, there are few better places to start.

[Susan Paxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the best "airplane biography" I've ever read, McKinstry details the career of the Lancaster, starting with its inception as a four-engined variant of the unlovable Manchester, and throughout its sterling service in World War II, and even beyond. Along the way, the author covers a great deal of ground and a wide array of topics very ably - famous Lancaster missions like the Dambusters raid, controversy (including a very thorough discussion of Dresden), the ground crews, the workers who built the airplanes, VC missions, designer Roy Chadwick, and a sympathetic portrait of the impossible Sir Arthur Harris. Overall this book is so good that I ran out and bought his book on the Spitfire before I even finished this one. Very, very highly recommended!

[Danny Whatmough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A testament to Leo Mckinstry's writing this book delivers yet another well researched, well written, in-depth view into one of the most iconic British aircraft seen in service during the second world war.
If I had to pick one criticism it would be that with the Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster all having a book now Leo has run out of 'iconic' planes to write about...

Unless he fancies doing somethig post-war like the Harrier, or Wyvern (I know I know it's obscure), or Vulcan, maybe even the Tornado? in future because I would be 110% up for that.


Diving into the book itself you'll find much the same if you've read through Hurricane or Spitfire before, only this time with the perspective looking at a bomber offensive rather than the defence during the battle of Britain. Similarly there's less "here's the rival but which one was better?" because well... The Lancaster just wins each one of those without much left open for debate.
As a result the book did lean more towards the use of the plane in terms of the general war itself rather than detailing specifics actions, with a lot of the later book looking specifically into Harris and how the Lancaster could certainly have been used better.
Though that isn't to say you won't find some fantastic details about the Dambusters Raid, Battle of Berlin, Assault on Tirpitz or Bombing of Dresden, it's all in there and it's all fantastically written (which is no surprise to me at this point).

I'm basically gushing here but this is the third book of Leo McKinstry's to get this reaction, after reading Spitfire I wrote in my review that I was actively excited for the next book and it's been a continual story. I'll be actively looking out to see if McKinstry does anything similar again because his well researched and referenced accounts allow you to develop an almost personal relationship with the vehicle the books are talking about and it's an incredible feeling and great way of gaining and subsequently maintaining your interest by doing that.

Yes, there's pilots,
Yes, there's the designer,
Yes, there's politicians,
But the plane is at the heart of this book and what a great heart it has, the rest are side-characters.

[Russ Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed account of the history of the Lancaster bomber in world war 2, it's origin as the inadequate death trap the Manchester & it's subsequent service, taking part in some of the most famous missions of the war. In addition to the story of the Lancaster the author also discusses the controversial history of Bomber Command's activity in the war, including it's use of the tactic of area bombing. It also goes into some of the leading personalities linked to the Lancaster story, such as designer Roy Chadwick and Bomber Harris, in charge of Bomber Command through much of the war, and one of the leading proponents of area bombing. Thoroughly recommended if you like this sort of thing, and very well detailed.

[Jim Packer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book if you are into aviation history. It can be a little repetitive at times but always interesting. Looking deeply into the morality of Allied area bombing in WW2 was particularly challenging, but a subject that should not be ignored. So much direct input from the brave men of bomber command really brings the era to life. The Lancaster bomber has such an interesting story. This is a long book and best not read at bedtime. The problem being it is hard to put down mid chapter and before you know it you are into the small hours.

[Lee Donohue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book by author Leo McKinstry, about the history behind what may have been one of the greatest four-engined aircraft of World War II, and how it was used in the conflict. From its disastrous beginning to its successful use to the very end of the war, and even after, the author in fine detail presents the reader the rich history of the Lancaster bomber. A marvelous book which was slightly difficult for me to read but definitely worth the time.

[David L. Deakin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lancaster: All You Could Ever Possibly Want to Know.


A marathon history of this great aircraft; it's concept, design, operational legacy, development crew selection and training.
An essential read for the aviation enthuiast.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

More perfection by McKinstry on a British aviation marvel.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of the Lancaster, as with the Spitfire we were so very lucky to have it, but things could have been so very different if the persistence and production path wasn't followed.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is clear from the title, a book about the Avro Lancaster bomber during it’s operational time in World War 2. The looks at the bomber from several viewpoints, including design, leadership, procedures at bases, and different missions during the war. The text mainly consists of anecdotes from around the viewpoint areas, coming from a huge number of specified sources. The nature of the anecdotes varies a lot, as it includes such items as details of Arthur Harris’s private life, several mentions of the aircrews ritual of urinating on the tailwheel before a mission… The is some discussion of contentious issues such as the RAF attitude to LMF cases, and the various official attitudes to the bombing of civilians. Since the book mainly consists of information repeated from other named sources, it makes few judgements, but mostly presents the viewpoints. At this point, it should be clear that this is not a technical book, nor is it a concise operational record of the Lancaster. Added to which, many of the anecdotes relate to issues not unique to the Lancaster – for example many of the operations discussed were combined raids by a number of bomber types, and other bombers had tailwheels. There are a number of dubious claims, as well as downright errors in the text, in addition to quite a few typos. Two photo sections contain 37 illustrations representing various aspects of the Lancasters history. I did finish the book with the impression that the dominant theme of the book is not the Lancaster, but actually Arthur Harris and his problematic relationship with his wartime peers. I enjoyed this book – it may be highly derivative and lacking in focus at times, but it makes an interesting read about the times in which the Lancaster was such a truly terrifying weapon of war.

[David Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Paul Brickhill's superb book on the Dambusters as a child I have always adored this aeroplane. Now I know that it is not only famous but brilliant and that this brilliance is due to it's designer, Roy Chadwick. This is clearly a man who should have a statue to him. If he hadn't died flying a newly designed aeroplane in 1947 he'd have been a household name.
The appalling cost in lives in Germany and those of the incredible bomber command crews confirm the sheer desperation of Britain to take the offensive whatever the price. Can you really imagine driving to work every day for next month with the full knowledge that statistically you are bound to die in flames on one of the trips?
The use of Arthur Harris's own testimony is incredibly useful and helps us to try and understand that he had an impossible job to do and that there could be no compromise.
Without the Lanc, even with it's frailties, it's possible the war would have cost even more lives. If you don't know about the problems of Creep Back and Schrage Musik then by the end of this book you will be an expert.

[Duncan Maccoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story. The design and operation of the development of a four engined bomber is covered with clarity and enthusiasm. The more you read, the more you think - what luck the Germans failed to develop thier own similar equipment.

I recommend reading Bomber as well for comparison.

[Grahambootle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of the Lancaster bomber, should of been a fairly dry read, but as it included many pieces that were written by the users of this iconic piece of engineering it was brought to life in a really vivid way. The final couple of chapters (post WW2) read more like shopping lists and didn't seem to flow with the rest of the book.

[Caroline Greeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing story of the WWII bomber, the Lancaster, and the drama and turmoil that went into designing it. Told in an engaging and accessible voice (you don't need to be a history or aviation aficionado to enjoy it). It's a long one, and I was reading it while doing a ton of travel. I got a kick out of how many flights this book about flight took. Well recommended.

[Tom Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book. It takes from the design to when the bomber ended it's days with coastal command some fifty years later. The crews had the finest bomber in World War II and their survival rate was astonishing. But for this aircraft, manay more crew would died.

[Russell Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic piece of research by the author. Loaded with information it is a must for anyone with an interest in Lancaster Bombers and world war two.