Big Week cover art

Big Week

The Biggest Air Battle of World War Two

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Big Week

By: James Holland
Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
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About this listen

During the third week of February 1944, the combined Allied air forces launched their first-ever round-the-clock bomber offensive against Germany.

The aim was to smash the main factories and production centres of the Luftwaffe and draw the German fighter force up into the air and into battle. Officially called Operation ARGUMENT, this monumental air assault very quickly became known simply as Big Week.

Following the fortunes of pilots, aircrew and civilians from both sides, Big Week is a blistering narrative of one of the most critical periods of the entire war, one that culminated in the largest air battle ever witnessed.

©2018 James Holland (P)2019 Soundings Military War Air Force Aviation US Air Force

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Most relevant  
Loved this historical account of the work of the RAF and USAAF during WWII. The levels of bravery were incredible and difficult for anyone born with the benefit of personal and social freedoms to comprehend. The accounts of allied crews are carefully balanced with those of their German counterparts to create a detailed and very often personal narrative of life in air combat during the war years. Highly recommended!

Incredible account of wartime aviation bravery and innovation

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Have enjoyed the authors previous works and this is just as explorative, informative and places the listener in the era.

Full and informative

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My great uncle died on the 24 Feb 1944 in a Lancaster during Big Week. I visited his grave in France this summer. Wow. What a book. It bring to life the sacrifices on those young men who gave so much. TYVM James Holland.

Movingly brilliant and humbling

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Adrenaline fuelled first hand accounts and tragic stories, views from both sides, great account of a very important moment in WW2.

A good focus on the air war

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As usual James Holland delivers. What makes his books better than others is that they are written in a story telling way - it’s not stuffy nor full of fact after mind numbing fact. The characters are brought to life.

The only bug bear for me is the narrator. He reads well, but his pronunciation of certain words make me want to tear the few remaining flecks of hair I have left on my head. For example, his continual pronunciation of “Fock Wulf” as opposed to Fokker, over and over, is ridiculous! Surely someone was on hand to correct him? And pronouncing the Dutch town of Twente as “Twent” sent me over the edge! Poor skills.

Superb account

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Holland produces a work which as manages to successfully cover the decisions taken in strategic warfare along with the individual human costs. The former in the stark fearful logic of war, the latter with painful clarity of the ordeals suffered on both sides.
There are many worthy books on the WWII air war over the skies of Europe, this one stands with the better ones, and I would recommend for anyone wishing to learn of the motivations at all levels.
There have been some reviews dealing with pronunciation and delivery, I would suggest you simply concentrate on the facts unfolded here; the facts that war is not romantic nor clinical, there is a human costs, then these little niggling criticisms will fade away. (pronunciation of a word here and there....who cares?)
This is an account of the Reality of War. Remember that.

A vivid account

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A thoroughly well researched and fresh look at the air war over Europe in 1943-44.

The author brings together personal accounts and historical information to build a vast panorama of this terrific and terrifying endeavour.

It highlights also how, despite the tide of the war turning in this period, many more sacrifices had to be made by those young airmen of both sides. Thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in this period, both students and casual readers alike.

A Gripping Narrative

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A well written book expertly narrated. Tying it to individual stories kept me interested. A very enjoyable listen!

A great story, well told.

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why oh why didn't somebody tell the narrator how to pronounce the German fighter Fokker properly. it's not fock! really grated ever time he said it incorrectly and spoilt a good story.

good story but poor narration

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Great book and well read. Lots of fascinating details, very typical of James Holland books.

Thoroughly enjoyable

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