A very good military read
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I can't recommend both 'First Light- Geoffrey Wellum' and 'Warburton's War - Tony Spooner' enough. I was almost unable to put either book down, and ended up on Google researching both the subjects. Watching clips of Warburton's funeral, and the BBC's dramatisation of First Light.
I really hope I find out in advance when First Light is going to be repeated, so I can ensure it's recorded...
I really hope I find out in advance when First Light is going to be repeated, so I can ensure it's recorded...
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For what it is worth would suggest Bomber by Len Deighton 1943 Bomber command story - father thought very accurate as he flew at that time and was shot down and felt book captured the feel of the times very well. Red Storm Rising - Tom Clancy techno thriller late 1980,s, what if book. Both above fiction, but find any book by Max Hastings or Martin Middlebrook to be very good factual reads on their subjects. Also have to mention Ravens and Air America (can not remeber author currently).
William Dalrymple’s new book, “The Return of a King
This new history of the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42), draws remarkable parallels between that 19th-century conflict and Nato’s current Afghan mess. “In both cases,” he says, “the invaders thought they could walk in, perform regime change, and be out in a couple of years. In both cases they were unable to prevent themselves getting sucked into a much wider conflict.”
This first Afghan war led to disaster for the same reasons as the Russian intervention in the 1990s and Nato’s today, but I’m not sure our politicians have learnt any lesson from previous conflicts.
Anyway this enthralling account in five daily readings can be heard from the BBC Book of the Week site, but you have to be quick as the first episode finishes in a couple of days.
You can get it here:
BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Return of a King: The Battle for Afghanistan, Episode 1
Just read Geoff Leeming's http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/From-Borneo-to-Lockerbie/p/3872/
For anyone from the early SH and SAR days will know Geoff from SARTU. Good read with many familiar faces.
For anyone from the early SH and SAR days will know Geoff from SARTU. Good read with many familiar faces.
"Hangar Flying" is the first in a trilogy from retired USAF Chief of Staff Tony McPeak. It covers his century series fighter flying in the 60's, a Thunderbirds tour and his time as a Misty FAC flying F100's in Vietnam.
One of the best reads....looking forward to the next book.
Downloadable via Amazon/Kindle.
One of the best reads....looking forward to the next book.
Downloadable via Amazon/Kindle.
'Human Game' by Simon Reid.
A very good read about the murder, of the fifty escapee's from Stalag Luft III and the lengths the RAFP and SIB went to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of this monstrous crime. Many on here have views about the RAFP and SIB but this was an investigation by no more 10 to 12 men who took a couple of years and they weren't about to let it go in bringing people to court and some to the gallows.
A very good read about the murder, of the fifty escapee's from Stalag Luft III and the lengths the RAFP and SIB went to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of this monstrous crime. Many on here have views about the RAFP and SIB but this was an investigation by no more 10 to 12 men who took a couple of years and they weren't about to let it go in bringing people to court and some to the gallows.
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'Human Game' by Simon Reid.
A very good read about the murder, of the fifty escapee's from Stalag Luft III and the lengths the RAFP and SIB went to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of this monstrous crime. Many on here have views about the RAFP and SIB but this was an investigation by no more 10 to 12 men who took a couple of years and they weren't about to let it go in bringing people to court and some to the gallows.
A very good read about the murder, of the fifty escapee's from Stalag Luft III and the lengths the RAFP and SIB went to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of this monstrous crime. Many on here have views about the RAFP and SIB but this was an investigation by no more 10 to 12 men who took a couple of years and they weren't about to let it go in bringing people to court and some to the gallows.
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Have just read Mike Mullane's book Riding Rockets on rec from here. I was very impressed with his honesty and lack of bull, so much so that I shot him a quick e mail to say as much without thinking anymore of it. I received a very nice e-mail back from him from an obviously very busy man, what a gent.
Bomber Command
I have not read all the posts so may be repeating this title!I recently read "Men of Air" by Kevin Wilson,all about the bombing campaign on Germany.
He also wrote "Bomber Boys".Reading Men of Air made feel very sad at the needless losses of aircrew.See what you think.
He also wrote "Bomber Boys".Reading Men of Air made feel very sad at the needless losses of aircrew.See what you think.
Hangar Flying
Gnadenburg
Thanks for the recommendation for Hangar Flying. I've just read it while on holiday and, like you, thought it was excellent and am looking forward to the next one.
Thanks for the recommendation for Hangar Flying. I've just read it while on holiday and, like you, thought it was excellent and am looking forward to the next one.
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Stradling
Still have my copy. It was issued to me when I became a flight cadet in 1968.
At the same time we were advised to read a book titled "On the Psychology of Military Incompetence". I still have that, as well.
Both very interesting in different ways:
Stradling - a slightly amusing time capsule, but harmless.
Mil Incompetence - plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
Rgds SOS
At the same time we were advised to read a book titled "On the Psychology of Military Incompetence". I still have that, as well.
Both very interesting in different ways:
Stradling - a slightly amusing time capsule, but harmless.
Mil Incompetence - plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
Rgds SOS
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At the same time we were advised to read a book titled "On the Psychology of Military Incompetence". I still have that, as well.
There is also a good book on the history of cowardice, but cannot recall the title - will have a go on Google tomorrow -
"The Thin Yellow Line" by William Moore - from your favourite S American river
"The Thin Yellow Line" by William Moore - from your favourite S American river
Last edited by Wander00; 12th Jun 2013 at 09:32.
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Fall Out Roman Catholics and Jews
For something a little different, try "Fall out Roman Catholics and Jews" by Anthony Haig-Thomas. His auto-biography about his career as a Venom and Hunter pilot in the late 1950s shows how much things have changed during the last 50 years (although the constant hunt for female company during his pilot training is probably still current but perhaps easier these days). The chapters on his tour with 8 Sqn in Aden are particularly amusing and include the story of his 2 ship low-level transit sortie in a Hunter at M.9 during a detachment to Rhodesia which included a beat-up of a city, shattered windows in a girls school, and a bill to the RAF from a railway company for flat spotted wheels on a steam train caused by its emergency stop as they flew at low level down the track! (Some lost seniority here). His descriptions of the accidents that led to the deaths of many of his friends - particularly in Aden - perfectly contrast his fun of flying and the risks that were taken during those times.
To help matters, a seller on e-bay has a few copies to sell, brand new, starting at £3.50 plus postage! Well worth a quick punt.
To help matters, a seller on e-bay has a few copies to sell, brand new, starting at £3.50 plus postage! Well worth a quick punt.
Have just read Mike Mullane's book Riding Rockets on rec from here. I was
very impressed with his honesty and lack of bull, so much so that I shot him a
quick e mail to say as much without thinking anymore of it. I received a very
nice e-mail back from him from an obviously very busy man, what a gent.
Possibly misplaced, but, worthy of mention when it comes to military reading
Letter from Dambusters hero Guy Gibson suggests prophetic title for book just weeks before his death | Mail Online
Smudge
Letter from Dambusters hero Guy Gibson suggests prophetic title for book just weeks before his death | Mail Online
Smudge
A thousand Shall Fall
