A very good military read
Just finished Trusted Mole, A Soldiers Journey into Bosnia's Heart of Darkness. The author, Milos Stankovic, was a Parachute Regt captain of part Serbian heritage posted as an interpreter to UNPROFOR during the Balkan war of the '90s. His insight into the Serb mindset made him a go-between the higher echelons of all sides His vivid description of the atrocities carried out left images in my mind that I find hard to ignore - the reader needs a strong stomach at times. There are examples of pure ineptitude such as Bianca Jagger's solution to the conflict: bomb the bridges; fine, except no aid would then be delivered. Back in UK, now a major the author was hauled out of Staff College and investigated for passing information to the Serbs and 'bringing the UK Government into disrepute'.
If you want deeper understanding of the events in Bosnia, read this book.
If you want deeper understanding of the events in Bosnia, read this book.
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Masterly account of the radar war 39/45 and much more. Recently re-issued Professor RV Jones RAF's head of scientific intelligenge from 1938 onwards Penquin ISBN 978-0-141-04282-4
He has little time for Robert Watson-Watt
Original pub date 1978 the updated version expands on some chapters of the previous work especially the origins of the Oslo Report, read and be amazed.
He has little time for Robert Watson-Watt
Original pub date 1978 the updated version expands on some chapters of the previous work especially the origins of the Oslo Report, read and be amazed.
Later in the book, RAF Bomber Command get a good pasting for terrible emcon. Again, the calculated figures for bomber losses due to the failure to implement simple emcon and the resistance of some like Watson Watt to the use of Window are staggering, we are talking thousands of crews unnecessarily lost on night OPS. This is material that should figure more strongly in the history books.
Overall, strong stuff.
OAP
Melchett01
Your #437 above.
MRAF Sir John Slessor's "The Central Blue" is worth a read. However he left the RAF in mid-1950's so story is relevant to what was happening then (and earlier).
Having seen and photographed him on his farewell visit to the Rhodesian Air Training Group I always remember him and when his memoirs came out borrowed a copy from the library.
Photos taken at 5 FTS (RAF Thornhill). His son John, an instructor at 5 FTS is on the left in the bottom photo.
Your #437 above.
I might have missed them, or just looking in the wrong place, but why do we not see as many books written by UK Air commanders in the same way we get the various memoires and recollections of army types?
Having seen and photographed him on his farewell visit to the Rhodesian Air Training Group I always remember him and when his memoirs came out borrowed a copy from the library.
Photos taken at 5 FTS (RAF Thornhill). His son John, an instructor at 5 FTS is on the left in the bottom photo.
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With a slowly growing 'library' courtesy of this thread, I would like to recommend one that I took a punt on - Mosquito Pathfinder by Albert and Ian Smith.
This is is the record of an NCO navigator who started on Wellingtons and then ended up on Pathfinder Mossies (clue's in the title I suppose...) and gaining a commission. What makes this one stand out for me is the different perspective Albert Smith brings to the narrative. He brings a personal touch, describing what might be thought of as more mundane aspects of everyday life but actually helps to paint a more fuller picture of WWII operational life. His description of Oboe Ops also makes one realise how technically advanced the RAF had become by the end of the war.
But what does one do with the books once read???
This is is the record of an NCO navigator who started on Wellingtons and then ended up on Pathfinder Mossies (clue's in the title I suppose...) and gaining a commission. What makes this one stand out for me is the different perspective Albert Smith brings to the narrative. He brings a personal touch, describing what might be thought of as more mundane aspects of everyday life but actually helps to paint a more fuller picture of WWII operational life. His description of Oboe Ops also makes one realise how technically advanced the RAF had become by the end of the war.
But what does one do with the books once read???
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This has just been voted 'Book of the Year' in the 'biography' category by members of the Aviation Enthusiasts' Book Club.
Fate is the Hunter by Ernest K Gann.
Not a military story but "The finest book on aviation ever written" according to the cover. I am certainly enjoying the style of writing as well as the tales of early commercial aviation.
Not a military story but "The finest book on aviation ever written" according to the cover. I am certainly enjoying the style of writing as well as the tales of early commercial aviation.
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Harry's War by Harry Drinkwater. It is about WW1 in an Infantry regiment with a surprising amount of aviation mentioned, being observed by captive balloon by day and frequently bombed by night. Almost certainly the best book about the Great War that I have ever read. The author kept a secret diary that he was able to expand to write this book in the 1920s. It was stored in the loft of his house and was not discovered until a few years ago, some 50 years after his death.
Nigerian In Law
May I recommend Kisses From Nimbus by P.J. "Red" Riley ?
Joined the Royal Signals, trained as an Army Pilot, became the WO I/C 22 SAS Flight, completed the SAS selection and transferred then became an MI6 operative.
Fascinating and entertaining, written from a military mans' perspective. Available on Kindle.
NEO
Joined the Royal Signals, trained as an Army Pilot, became the WO I/C 22 SAS Flight, completed the SAS selection and transferred then became an MI6 operative.
Fascinating and entertaining, written from a military mans' perspective. Available on Kindle.
NEO
Spitfire Singh
I have only recently bought this book by Mike Edwards and have only read the first few chapters so far. I really only bought it because I knew Mikes's father many years ago. However, I am amazed and delighted at what a good read it is. His attention to detail is quite exceptional but he manages to cover it all in an interesting way and I am learning the most amazing things. For example, I never knew that Indian pilots flew in WW1, one of them shooting down 6 German aircraft in two weeks before being shot down himself.
It is the biography of AVM Harjinder Singh, an orphan who joined the fledgling Indian Airforce as a sepoy, trained to become an engineer and pilot. Through battles against the Japanese and Germans into the jet age he became a "pillar of the IAF.
Mike Edwards MBE became involved with the IAF when, as a BA pilot he visited India and helped to restore their vintage aircraft collection to flying status. His book starts with 50th Birthday Celebrations of the IAF with Mike flying their Tiger Moth to close the air display.
It is the biography of AVM Harjinder Singh, an orphan who joined the fledgling Indian Airforce as a sepoy, trained to become an engineer and pilot. Through battles against the Japanese and Germans into the jet age he became a "pillar of the IAF.
Mike Edwards MBE became involved with the IAF when, as a BA pilot he visited India and helped to restore their vintage aircraft collection to flying status. His book starts with 50th Birthday Celebrations of the IAF with Mike flying their Tiger Moth to close the air display.
"Rhapsody in Blue" by Graham Williams. Interesting story, and surprised by the number of references to people I have known over the years. Even photos of Padre Ray Hubble playing a piano in an NBC suit. I knew Ray after we had both left the RAF and he was a Member of the Yacht Club of which I was Secretary, and we were neighbours. He became Chaplain of the Club for the 5 year term and together we arranged several memorable ash scattering and funerals for former RAF and RN aircrew. On one occasion the deceased, former Sailing Master to HM The Queen, and FAA Observer, and one time inhabitant of Stalag Luft 3. In the "congregation" were 3 other former Stalag Luft 3 residents. Hair on the back of my neck time!
Just received 'A most enigmatic war' about R V Jones and british scientific intelligence 1939-45. A weighty tome but flicking through looks very good,
