The latest from the fine folks at Mushroom Models Magazine is this special titled "An ordinary day in 1945". What this book does, it bring together all of the aerial activity on the Western front between the Allies and the Germans. As stated in the book, the day chosen, was a little bit more than ordinary as it was one of the last times the Luftwaffe was seen in the air in force. After this time period, activity was much more sporadic and less well-organized.

The amount of research that went into this book is truly amazing. No part of the air activity of the day was left out. You have the major events such as strategic bombing missions and the operations of the 2nd TAF with their ground attack aircraft, but you also have the response to these missions by the Luftwaffe.

Activities of the escorting fighters is part of this overall picture and their action reports are also included. Luftwaffe recce missions with the Ar-234 are also part and parcel of the day's activities. This goes into the night as well with the Luftwaffe's night attack units and Allied night fighter patrol activity included.

A portion of the book is on stats. There are charts on missing USAAF bomber crews, Luftwaffe unit activity, Luftwaffe losses, Allied victory claims and more. This is all capped with 16 pages of color profiles of some of the aircraft involved.

I have to say that it makes for a most informative book that is easy to read and is an inspiration for the modeler. I can highly recommend it.

March 2006

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