{"product_id":"operation-bowler-book-jonathan-glancey-9780861549245","title":"Operation Bowler","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e21 March 1945. 1530 hours. Dozens of Allied fighters and bombers sweep over German-occupied Venice. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheir mission – destroy Germany’s strategic outposts nestled along the port, while leaving the floating city unscathed.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs bombs rained down upon Europe, flattening city after city, Venice – \u003cem\u003eLa Serenissima; \u003c\/em\u003ehome 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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, \u003cem\u003eOperation Bowler\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51403476861201,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51403477385489,"sku":"GOR014260237","price":15.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51469787791633,"sku":"GOR014293022","price":283.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":52110825128209,"sku":"NGR9780861549245","price":31.59,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52583805878545,"sku":"NLS9780861549245","price":31.19,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53025266991377,"sku":"GOR014702663","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0861549244.jpg?v=1786098587","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/operation-bowler-book-jonathan-glancey-9780861549245","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}