To date there has been a paucity of books on this remarkable aircraft. Among its claims to fame are the following: the only RAF bomber to serve in its original role from first day of war to last, and in every theater; the first type to bomb Germany; the first type to bomb Berlin; the first type to drop the 4,000lb ‘Cookie’ bomb; and so on.

A serious study is well overdue, drawing not just on official documentation but relying greatly on personal accounts and anecdotes from the veterans who were there, both air and ground crew. And here it is. Through his diligent research over many years, author Steve Bond has produced an outstanding work.

His coverage of operations will include, inter alia, the early bombing campaigns, the switch to main force activity, the use of OTU aircraft and crews on operations, the protection of Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys, service with the FAA and the French and the Wellington’s continued use as bomber and transport aircraft.

A worthy tribute, then, replete with original photographs throughout.

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Dedication
• Foreword
• Introduction & Acknowledgements
• Chapter One: A New Bomber for the Royal Air Force
• Chapter Two: Into the Abyss – Early Bomber Command Operations
• Chapter Three: Bomber Command Main Force
• Chapter Four: The Mediterranean Theatre
• Chapter Five: Hunting the U-boats – Maritime Operations
• Chapter Six: The Forgotten Air Forces
• Chapter Seven: The Wimpy in Other Roles
• Chapter Eight: Post-war to Retirement
• Appendix One: Wellington Variants & Production
• Appendix Two: Wellington Operating Units
• Appendix Three: The Vickers-Armstrongs Warwick
• References
• Abbreviations
• Select Bibliography