Operation Bowler

The Audacious Allied Bombing of Venice

Jonathan Glancey, Jonathan Glancey

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

One World
01 June 2025

History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -; Art & design styles: c 1900 to c 1960; History of architecture; History; Second World War; War & defence operations

21st March 1945. 1530 hours. Bursting through a hazy sky, dozens of Allied fighters and bombers sweep over German-occupied Venice.

Their mission – destroy Germany’s strategic outposts nestled along the port, while leaving the floating city unscathed.

As bombs rained down upon Europe, flattening city after city, Venice – La Serenissima; home of Titian and Veronese; immortalised in the serene landscapes of Canaletto – remained sacrosanct. Its artistic and architectural treasure too considerable, too precious to risk destruction.

But, as the push up through Italy reached its final, gruelling 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.

In a gripping tale, bestselling author Jonathan Glancey reveals the thrilling history of ‘Operation Bowler’. Joining audacious Wing Commander George Westlake DFC and his elite team, Operation Bowler explores how an unlikely squad of pilots executed one of the most meticulous and complex air raids of the Second World War, sparing not only Venice, but its people.

By: Jonathan Glancey, Jonathan Glancey
Imprint: One World
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 29mm
Weight: 612g
ISBN: 9780861549245
ISBN 10: 0861549244
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 01 June 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Jonathan Glancey is a journalist, author and broadcaster. He was Architecture and Design correspondent of the Guardian from 1997 to 2012 and Architecture and Design Editor of the Independent from 1989 to 1997. He now writes for the Daily Telegraph among other publications. He is the author of Spitfire: The Biography, Concorde and The Story of Architecture, among others.

Reviews for Operation Bowler: The Audacious Allied Bombing of Venice

‘Hugely entertaining, Spitfire is told with the passion and style that this most iconic of aircraft deserves.’ —James Holland on Spitfire 'Stylishly written and entertainingly told, Spitfire is a real treasure-trove… A wonderful book.’ —Rowland White on Spitfire ‘Elegant and meticulously researched… an authoritative and comprehensive tribute to a unique aircraft.’ —Spectator on Spitfire ‘A drama that cannot help take wing. The elements will excite the imagination and raise the heart.’ —Sunday Telegraph on Spitfire