THE SPITFIRE MARK V IN ACTION
RAF Operations in Northern Europe

PETER CAYGILL

AIRLIFE PUBLISHING LTD
2001

First edition.
The Spitfire Mark V was built in greater numbers than any other variant. Its story is inextricably linked to the Focke-Wulf 190, which entered service with the Luftwaffe in the summer of 1941 and caused RAF Fighter Command a profound shock. Combat losses were worryingly high until Rolls-Royce gave the Mark V a lifeline that allowed the Spitfire to compete on almost equal terms when flying at low and medium altitude.

Although it was progressively replaced by the Mark DC from June 1942, there were still ten front-line squadrons flying Mark Vs at the time of D-Day and it continued in the firing line until the end of the European war.

As an operational history, this book tells the aircraft's story from the viewpoint of various squadrons and wings throughout 10,11 and 12 Groups. Many of the actions described are based on pilots' combat reports which, together with intelligence documents and first-hand accounts, provide a detailed story of some of the more notable air battles that took place over Northern France, Holland and Belgium.

The book concludes with a chapter that charts the operational histories of preserved Spitfire Vs that fought in the skies of Northern Europe.

24 x 16 cm. [vi] + 262 pp.

Fine condition, like new.