{"product_id":"operation-bowler-the-audacious-allied-bombing-of-venice-during-world-war-ii","title":"Operation Bowler: The Audacious Allied Bombing of Venice During World War II","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA story of incredible military daring--set against the splendor of Venice--that tells how an unlikely squad of pilots executed the most meticulous air raid of World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarch 21st, 1945. Bursting through a hazy sky, dozens of Allied fighters and bombers sweep over German-occupied Venice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir mission: destroy Germany's strategic outposts nestled along the port, while leaving the floating city unscathed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs bombs rained down upon Europe, flattening city after city, Venice--La Serenissima; home of Titian and Veronese; immortalized in the serene landscapes of Canaletto--remained sacrosanct. Its artistic and architectural treasure too considerable, too precious to risk destruction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBut as the push up through Italy reached its final, grueling months, the Allies were confronted with a terrible dilemma. The ancient city of Venice was now closer and closer to the line of fire. As casualties mounted, the value of art--of history--seemed diminished; just a month earlier Allied bombers had reduced the ancient hilltop abbey of Monte Cassino to a stony husk.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this vivid narrative, bestselling author Jonathan Glancey reveals the thrilling story of Operation Bowler. Following the exploits of audacious Wing Commander George Westlake and his elite team, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eOperation Bowler\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e explores how an unlikely squad of pilots executed the most meticulous and complex air raid of World War II, sparing not only Venice but also its people.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pegasus Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50100247789853,"sku":"9781639369195","price":23.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/5692\/5213\/files\/9781639369195.jpg?v=1750794252","url":"https:\/\/bookdelico.com\/products\/operation-bowler-the-audacious-allied-bombing-of-venice-during-world-war-ii","provider":"Book Delico ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}