Pen & Sword | Mosquito Special Operations in the Second World War
Reviewed by Kevin Williams
Publisher: Pen & Sword
Author(s): Peter Saxton
Publishing date: 2024
ISBN: 978-1-39905-948-0 (Hardcover)
Pages: 143
Pen & Sword are generally known for producing very well researched and documented aircraft books. Such is the case with this volume, and I wholeheartedly approve.
As is somewhat typical of certain volumes, this is a book that's meant to be read, not looked at, so paper quality is what you might expect from such a publication. This is by no means a photo rich volume. In fact the photos that do exist, while interesting, are few and far between.
Not too many publications have been produced over the years (that I'm aware of) dealing with the particulars of Mosquito Special Ops, so this book attempts to fill that void. While many will be familiar with the famous Gestapo raids and the bombing of Amiens prison (Operation Jericho), others are also included as well. There's little doubt that the Mosquito (The Wooden Wonder) played a significant role in WWII, performing interdiction on shipping and rail networks, night fighter activities against the Luftwaffe and so on.
Photo Samples
Lots of data is offered up here; from initial design concepts and philosophy through final manufacturing and air-frame specifics and accomplishments.
For those of us with a taste for larger scale aircraft models, we're blessed with Tamiya, Airfix, HK and the antique Revell models, the Airfix kit being the only one in 1:24 scale.
This is certainly a volume that's worth a read, if you're interested at all in the special roles the Mosquito played during WWII.
Summation
On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate this book as a solid 10, no question about it. Topping out at a respectable 143 pages of fascinating De Havilland Mosquito stuff, it can be heartily recommended.
Not being a Mosquito expert, I can't really offer a true evaluation of the accuracy of the text itself, and so will leave that to more informed individuals.
My review copy compliments of Casemate Publishers. Thanks a ton to Casemate, it's truly an interesting view of Mosquito special ops.
© Kevin Williams 2025
This review was published on Friday, September 19 2025; Last modified on Sunday, September 21 2025