The Bomber Command War Diaries

[Dienaj]

I am trying to locate a book for my Dad, Jock Cameron, (ex RAAF WW2) called the Bomber Command War Diaries, An Operational Reference 1939-1945, authors are Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everett and known printers are Viking Press (1985) and Penguin Books (1990). While I can find the book listed for sale on several websites (mostly UK) when I try to order it is out of print and not available or outrageously expensive. I'm in sydney, Australia. I know it's a long shot but I thought it was worth trying this site.

[BDiONU]

Waterstones say they despatch within 7 weeks and are charging £19.95.

BD

[Saab Dastard]

If you don't mind 2nd hand, try AbeBooks Official Site - New & Used Books, New & Used Textbooks, Rare & Out of Print Books - they have an ANZ site as well as US, UK etc.

SD

[UniFoxOs]

Concur with ABE, used them a number of times, always managed to get what I wanted in the end. Also worth putting a search on ebay to email you if one comes up.

UFO

[Chairborne 09.00hrs]

If there's anything specific he wants looked-up, you could post a query on here.

[Dienaj]

Bomber Command War Diaries

Thanks to you all for your help. I did try Waterstones and got as far as the order acceptance and payment but unfortunately they are out of stock and not sure when they will be able to fill the order.

I will try try Abebooks as suggested.

Chairborne, my Dad just wants to have a copy of the book to read. He's now 87 and while that was a terrible time he does have some good memories of the chaps he flew with.

Diena

[rjtjrt]

Just to help here is the ABE URL for the search I just did and below it is the same search narrowed to Australian stockists
Kind Regards to you and gratitude to your Dad for his service

John
Melbourne

PS I have bought books from the Australian stockist, Andrew Barnes and had no trouble.

AbeBooks: Search Results - Martin Middlebrook and Bomber Command War Diaries


AbeBooks: Search Results - Martin Middlebrook and Bomber Command War Diaries

[Chairborne 09.00hrs]

Dienaj,

It's not really a "reading" book as such, more a work of reference with introductory chapters about the Command and its history at different stages of the war. However, you can look at a certain date and see all BC activity for that night: targets raided, effectiveness, losses etc.

For a good read, I would unhesitatingly recommend the books by Middlebrook on the Nuremberg (a disaster) and Peenemunde (a success) raids. He was a young lad living in Lincolnshire during the war, and used to watch the lads setting out on their raids.

[Atcham Tower]

He's probably read it but, if not, I strongly recommend No Moon Tonight by Australian Don Charlwood. He was a navigator on Lancs.Thankfully he is still with us and living in Melbourne. This is a beautifully written and deeply moving book, an aviation classic in fact.

[coxy1407]

Hi there - I have a copy of the book that you are interested in.It is the 1985 edition and in good condition,I bought it for my father who was a navigator in WW2 - I would be happy to discuss selling it if you are interested.

[Dienaj]

It's not really a "reading" book as such, more a work of reference with introductory chapters about the Command and its history at different stages of the war. However, you can look at a certain date and see all BC activity for that night: targets raided, effectiveness, losses etc.

For a good read, I would unhesitatingly recommend the books by Middlebrook on the Nuremberg (a disaster) and Peenemunde (a success) raids. He was a young lad living in Lincolnshire during the war, and used to watch the lads setting out on their raids.



Thanks for this. Dad was leant a copy of the book but didn't have a chance to look at it all before giving it back so was keen to have his own copy.

Dad was a Squadron Leader with 466 Squadron during the War and I mentioned your suggested book to him and he has read it but thanks you for your interest.

[Dienaj]

Hi Coxy147

Thank you for offering the book for sale. Unfortunately, I have now ordered a copy from the Aviation Bookshop in Kent but should I have a problem then I would be only too happy to contact you.

Diena

[Chairborne 09.00hrs]

"Dad was a Squadron Leader with 466 Squadron during the War "


Buy him a drink from me - he's earned it!


Cheers.

[Hyperborean]

Two books published in Oz :_ Fly and Flak by Michael Veitch. Series of small reported interviews with (mostly) RAAF aircrew veterans. Contain a few irritating misprints, Harden for Hawarden for example, but both interesting and at times moving.

[jeffhumphreys]

Hi Dienaj,
You probably are not accessing this site now - however I found your post. My Uncle, after whom I was named, was your Dad's navigator in Bomber Command, Jeff Allen. I would be interested to interact with you about a couple of historical things, if you get this message. Regards, Jeff Humphreys [email protected]

[Asturias56]

I've used ABE to get books from Australia several times - I think they have quite a big operation there

[Discorde]

For those interested in the history of Bomber Command: in 1941 the British Air Ministry published 'Bomber Command', a booklet intended to describe to the public the bomber offensive of the Royal Air Force against targets in Germany and the Occupied Territories. As would be expected, it overstates the effectiveness of the campaign and understates the deficiencies in the organisation and execution of bombing missions. But less expectedly, it does not shy away from recording failures and losses of aircraft and crews. What is noticeable is the contrast between the generally rudimentary nature of the bomber offensive during the first two years of the Second World War and the devastating city-obliterating raids launched by the Allied air forces later in the conflict.