James M Volo

Slow but Deadly: the Dive-bombers of World War II James M Volo

Publisher Marketing: The theme of this book is the exploration of the theory and practice of dive-bombing, which tactic proved more precise than that of level-flight bombers and more effective than air-launched torpedo attacks against surface ships. It is also the author's purpose to come to a more general conclusion as to the effectiveness of dive-bombing under actual combat conditions. In this regard the words and observations of several dive-bomber aviators have been incorporated. While the best known dive-bomber was the Stuka, the most successful of the major dive-bombing airframes was undoubtedly the American-made Douglas SBD Dauntless that would prove (like most of its type) to be Slow But Deadly-hence the title of this book. Unlike high altitude level-flight bombing, which was not precise, and unlike low altitude precision attacks with guns and rockets, which became more popular later in the war, dive-bombing was highly effective for many types of precision attacks. This book was begun under the tutelage of author's mentor Dr. Jeffrey L. Ethell at American Military University. Dr. Ethell found it, "A fascinating and comprehensive study." On June 6, 1997, Ethell was killed when the vintage P-38 "Lightning" fighter he was piloting crashed near Tillamook, Oregon. The book is dedicated to his memory.