Listen and read

Step into an infinite world of stories

  • Listen and read as much as you want
  • Over 400 000+ titles
  • Bestsellers in 10+ Indian languages
  • Exclusive titles + Storytel Originals
  • Easy to cancel anytime
Subscribe now
Details page - Device banner - 894x1036

Flying in Defiance of the Reich: A Lancaster Pilot's Rites of Passage

Language
English
Format
Category

History

This is the vivid memoir of a man who was twenty-one at the outbreak of World War II. Having joined the RAFVR before the war, he was mobilized in August 1939 and after training became operational on 233 Squadron Coastal Command flying Hudsons from Leuchars, Aldergrove and St Eval. After fourteen months he was rested and was tasked with training navigators for the impending enlargement of Bomber Command.

In 1944 he joined 625 Squadron flying Lancasters over German targets and eventually took command of B Flight and was promoted Squadron Leader. His memories of the many raids, his crew and operational flying during this period until the end of the war are truly gripping. After the German capitulation, Peter joined Shield Force bound for the Far-east and the night bombing of Japan.

However before they could become operational the atom bomb put an end to the war in that theater. His unit was redirected to relieve Hong Kong and the final chapters give a unique insight into how the Japanese garrison was replaced by British law and order. This was a purely land operation carried out by the RAF without the presence of the Army.

© 2007 Pen & Sword Aviation (Ebook): 9781783460151

Release date

Ebook: 13 November 2007

Others also enjoyed ...

  1. The Red Line: The Gripping Story of the RAF’s Bloodiest Raid on Hitler’s Germany John Nichol
  2. Beaufighter Boys: True Tales From Those Who Flew Bristol’s Mighty Twin Graham Pitchfork
  3. Night of the Assassins: The Untold Story of Hitler's Plot to Kill FDR, Churchill, and Stalin Howard Blum
  4. Army of Steel: Tank Warfare 1939-45 Nigel Cawthorne
  5. Mistress of Life and Death: The Dark Journey of Maria Mandl, Head Overseer of the Women's Camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau Susan J. Eischeid
  6. Crucible of Hell: Okinawa: The Last Great Battle of the Second World War Saul David
  7. Four Hours of Fury: The Untold Story of World War II's Largest Airborne Invasion and the Final Push into Nazi Germany James M. Fenelon
  8. Enterprise: America’s Fightingest Ship and the Men Who Helped Win World War II Barrett Tillman
  9. Air Force Blue: The RAF in World War Two – Spearhead of Victory Patrick Bishop
  10. Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed It to the World Lesley M.M. Blume
  11. ‘Young Man - You’ll Never Die’ Merton Naydler
  12. The Girls Who Went to War: Heroism, heartache and happiness in the wartime women’s forces Duncan Barrett
  13. The Crew: The Story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew David Price
  14. D-Days in the Pacific Donald L. Miller
  15. Those Who Fall John Muirhead
  16. A Bridge Too Far Cornelius Ryan
  17. Three Minutes to Doomsday: An Agent, a Traitor, and the Worst Espionage Breach in U.S. History Joe Navarro
  18. Steel Boat Iron Hearts: A U-boat Crewman's Life Aboard U-505 John Vanzo
  19. The German Aces Speak II: World War II Through the Eyes of Four More of the Luftwaffe's Most Important Commanders Colin D. Heaton
  20. Summary of Stephen Moore's Strike of the Sailfish IRB Media
  21. Victory in the Pacific: Pearl Harbour to the Fall of Okinawa Karen Farrington
  22. A Polish Voice Sandy Weatherburn
  23. A Week in September Peter Rees
  24. Homecomings: Returning POWs and the Legacies of Defeat in Postwar Germany Frank Biess