This book -published in 1970 , recounts in devastating detail the 24-hour story of a WW2 allied bombing raid.
Its part documentary and part fiction - however the granular detail in the narrative of the horror and injury to both sides - keeps the reader in dark suspense - and makes you question the purpose of war in the first place.
For example German radar tracking British bombers when they have taken off and yet still over the UK -and not yet on their outward journey over the North Sea to bomb the industrial Ruhr Valley.
Just this account creates a sense of imminent doom.
Descriptions of fire damage caused by the RAF bombs on both the German civilians -as well as the scenes inside flak damaged and doomed British bombers is horrific.
Near collisions in mid air - the tension is unrelenting and Deighton’s research with surviving RAF pilots is thorough.
The level of research even covers meteorological descriptions of cloud formations and cover used by the bombers.
The whole narrative does leave the reader with the feeling that the entire bombing concept should be avoided at all costs - when you examine the devastation on human life at a granular level on both sides.
There are no real winners.
Indeed it is a lesson for today ,that seemingly goes unchecked generation after generation regarding the stupidity of war.
Its a sobering read - but nonetheless an important one.
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