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A very good military read

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A very good military read

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Old 25th Jan 2018, 08:31
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Air Pig- I assume that this is not Jones's book, but a commentary on his and other work, in which case I suspect a most interesting read
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Old 25th Jan 2018, 18:57
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Originally Posted by air pig
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,
Must be a bit of an......Enigma?

OAP
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Old 25th Jan 2018, 23:24
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Originally Posted by Wander00
Air Pig- I assume that this is not Jones's book, but a commentary on his and other work, in which case I suspect a most interesting read

W 00, no it is not by R V Jones book but by James Goodchild.

Amazon Amazon



Then there is this, showing Jones himself being interviewed for the BBC series Secret War, narrated by ex RAF pilot William Wollard of Tomorrows World fame.

Amazon Amazon
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Old 26th Jan 2018, 08:54
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Air Pig - VMT
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Old 28th Mar 2018, 23:12
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I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but John Steinbeck's Once There Was a War is worth a place on your bookshelves. It consists of dispatches he wrote for the New York Herald Tribune during the latter part of WW2 and finally published as a single book in the mid-1950s. I believe he also did some reporting from Vietnam, but don't know if that was published as a book.

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Old 29th Mar 2018, 07:34
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Some good books on the war in Afghanistan are available. "Ordinary Soldier" Chris Beattie, "Not a Good Day to Die"Sean Naylor,"Horse Soldiers" Doug Stanton (the book that the movie 12 Strong is based on), "Outlaw platoon" Sean Purnell, "Roberts Ridge" Malcolm MacPherson, "18 Hours" Sandra Lee and "Lions of Kandahar" Rusty Bradley, "No Front Line" Chris Masters.
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Old 31st Mar 2018, 18:55
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Somewhat off topic but I've almost finished reading 'Endurance' by Alfred Lansing. The incredible story of Shackleton's ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica is very well told by Lansing and puts all those aircrew survival exercises into perspective. As a story of leadership of a disparate bunch of civvies is stands well on its own and that he didn't lose anyone is nothing short of a miracle. Highly recommended.
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Old 1st Apr 2018, 17:20
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Ivan Southall: (Hard to find now)
They Shall Not Pass Unseen - A version of the history he wrote of his RAAF Coastal Command Sunderland Squadron
Fly West - written as kids book, I was a kid when I read it, but I don't remember it as a kids book though - His experiences as a Sunderland Captain.
Softly Tread the Brave - Story of WWII mine clearance Officers John Mould GC GM and Hugh Syme GC GM and Bar. Cracking book about unbelievably brave men.

Peter Shankland
Malta Convoy - Operation Pedestal and the Ohio

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Old 2nd Apr 2018, 01:38
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Other oldies, but goodies:
Virginia Cowles - The Phantom Major - about David Stirling and the birth of the SAS in the Western Desert. There is a sequel, Wings of the Wind which I did not know existed, so must try to find.
Alastair Mars - 'Unbroken': Story of a Submarine - his experiences as captain of HMS Unbroken in the Med.

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Old 2nd Apr 2018, 01:42
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Originally Posted by kintyred
Somewhat off topic but I've almost finished reading 'Endurance' by Alfred Lansing. The incredible story of Shackleton's ill-fated attempt to cross A ntarctica is very well told by Lansing and puts all those aircrew survival exercises into perspective. As a story of leadership of a disparate bunch of civvies is stands well on its own and that he didn't lose anyone is nothing short of a miracle. Highly recommended.
If you liked that, try Mawson, by Peter Fitzsimons - hard men in a hard land.
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Old 2nd Apr 2018, 03:46
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Hilarious in places. Such as the arrogant American officer in an Indian bar who Lacey drank under the table then carried him out to a tattoo stall and had . .. .. . . you have to read it.
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Old 2nd Apr 2018, 19:04
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Smile

RAF In Camera 1970s by Keith Wilson excellent buy!!
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Old 3rd Apr 2018, 20:59
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Originally Posted by Traffic_Is_Er_Was
If you liked that, try Mawson, by Peter Fitzsimons - hard men in a hard land.
Thank you!
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Old 15th Apr 2018, 08:07
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I've just seen this book
Life and Death in the Battle of Britain Life and Death in the Battle of Britain
by Guy Mayfield, an RAF chaplain.

There's a short article about the background on the BBC here.
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Old 17th Apr 2018, 07:00
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Well I am half way through "Falklands Gunner" a damn good read so far written by Tom Martin was my Flight Commander in two AAC different Squadrons. A really good book so far Tom, albeit from memory somebody must be helping you with the big words!! I would recommend it to anybody.
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Old 17th Apr 2018, 07:38
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Originally Posted by Traffic_Is_Er_Was
If you liked that, try Mawson, by Peter Fitzsimons - hard men in a hard land.


Better yet try "Scott's northern party" by Raymond Priestley.
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Old 17th Apr 2018, 21:50
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Invasion by DC Alden.

Awesome what-if thriller with good detail (and only a few typos and plot holes), characterisation and pace. It describes in detail now the Islamic State could rise up and invade Europe (again). I can't put it down.
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Old 17th Jul 2018, 14:30
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Out of the Blue series

For the of you who have committed or even heard of a few indiscretions - try this!


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Old 17th Jul 2018, 14:41
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Originally Posted by just another jocky
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.

In my flying career I spent some time flying over the mountains along the east coast of the USA.....in the weather Gann describes.

He nailed it....I can lay awake with my eyes closed as I recall his words and SEE what he did.

Cold Fronts, rain, ice, turbulence, lightning......yes.....he wrote a masterpiece.
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Old 12th Sep 2018, 14:37
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Trying to contact Michael Draper

Hi,
I work in the film industry and am trying to contact Michael Draper about his book. I'm wondering if anyone knows how I could get in contact with him?
Thanks,
M.N.
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