A very good military read
We Were Crew Dogs is best described as a lifetime anthology of of stories contributed by B52 crew members. It consists of 8 volumes and 3 themed selections dealing with Linebacker 2, the Vietnam War and Emergencies and Incidents. Inevitably there is duplication in the individual contributions and some are more interesting or entertaining than others. However, the books do describe the nitty gritty of life in SAC in its heyday with life being ruled by the alert schedule. There are also some excellent accounts of the lengthy airborne alert sorties - Chrome Dome - that are of some historical value as the crew members who flew on them are now a small and rapidly diminishing cohort. One of the later volumes contains a rare account of cooperation between Harpoon armed B52s and the Nimrod in the anti-ship role.
Worth reading a couple of volumes to get the flavour. As well as the linked website they’re also available from the well known South American river.
YS
Worth reading a couple of volumes to get the flavour. As well as the linked website they’re also available from the well known South American river.
YS
I've just finished " Shadow divers" by Robert Kurson.ISBN0-375-76098-9 (paperback) OCLC60426012Dewey Decimal 910.452
It's a very gripping true story about a group of divers working at extreme depths ( for the time ) and their encounter with a Uboat found where there shouldn't be one.
Available from all good bookshops, Abe books (second hand ) and the Internet Archive https://archive.org/ to loan for 14 days. I found it hard to stop reading!
nb Internet Archive is hard to navigate but persevere and you will get a free read.
It's a very gripping true story about a group of divers working at extreme depths ( for the time ) and their encounter with a Uboat found where there shouldn't be one.
Available from all good bookshops, Abe books (second hand ) and the Internet Archive https://archive.org/ to loan for 14 days. I found it hard to stop reading!
nb Internet Archive is hard to navigate but persevere and you will get a free read.
I'm in the middle of "The Lonely Sea and the Sky" by Sir Francis Chichester. I'd always assumed he was "just" a yachtsman.. but his story is much, much more than that.
In 1929, he flew from England to Australia in a D H Gypsy Moth - then had it shipped to NZ from where he wanted to be the first to fly the Tasman Sea back to Oz (via Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island..) For the navs out there, the section where he describes how he managed to fly the aeroplane and navigate using dead reckoning backed up with sun shots is absolutely incredible.. I won't give away any more of the flying side of the story. I've yet to start reading about his solo circumnavigation of the world in Gypsy Moth IV.
In 1929, he flew from England to Australia in a D H Gypsy Moth - then had it shipped to NZ from where he wanted to be the first to fly the Tasman Sea back to Oz (via Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island..) For the navs out there, the section where he describes how he managed to fly the aeroplane and navigate using dead reckoning backed up with sun shots is absolutely incredible.. I won't give away any more of the flying side of the story. I've yet to start reading about his solo circumnavigation of the world in Gypsy Moth IV.
I was on the Quay in Plymouth when Gypsy Moth was coming in. Suddenly his wife, who was wearing a brightly coloured Zoot Suit, started jumping up and down and waving.
Gypsy Moth suddenly came about in the harbour entrance and started heading back out to sea..
My mate then remarked.. " Looks like he's just remembered why he left in the first place!"
Gypsy Moth suddenly came about in the harbour entrance and started heading back out to sea..
My mate then remarked.. " Looks like he's just remembered why he left in the first place!"
Hostile Skies now available in Spanish, courtesy of publisher in Buenos Aires.
https://elcazadorlibros.com.ar/produ...elos-hostiles/
No feedback yet!
Mog
https://elcazadorlibros.com.ar/produ...elos-hostiles/
No feedback yet!
Mog
Blimey! That’s brave!….I’d be very interested to see what kind of reception it gets. It’s a great book, but having spent a lot of time in Buenos Aires over the years, it doesn’t take much to set ‘em off!
There is a link to the Military Zone Forum where these comments were posted about the book (Google Translated from the Spanish) :-
I finished reading "Hostile Skies" and I leave my comments because it is a book of three lucas and maybe this will help you decide to buy or spend that money on another book or something else. We all know Sun Tzu's phrase "If you want to know how you
did in the war, ask your enemy" Well, this is a book written by an English pilot.
With all that this implies and where it is quite difficult to be objective because there are many stories difficult to digest. It is a very well balanced book between the account of the actions and the feelings of Morgan himself. That he includes many letters to his family as well as to a former lover at first baffles, but then he makes much more sense by showing without any qualms his fears, fears, tiredness and the desire for everything to end as quickly as possible.
For Morgan as for the rest of the pilots, the war was a
job. An annoying, tiring and very dangerous job. Concepts such as patriotism, commitment or loyalty to their Queen are not mentioned on any page of the book, marking very clearly the substantial difference in values between our pilots and the English.
Some of the accounts of the attacks and the shoot-downs are
crude. Hurt. Morgan has not been deprived of anything, nor of venting the countless failures of the Sea Harrier, the lack of coordination in many missions or the little experience of some English pilots. The fear of the Exocet, the attacks of our aviation and the anti-aircraft defenses of Puerto Argentino are a constant.
There is abundant information of the attacks, tactics, strategy even technical data that allow to know very in depth the Sea Harrier as the weaponry
used. It touches on some sensitive issues with the filming of some shootdowns, the attack on The Narwal, the Condor air base or the effect of the Beluga bombs.
In short, a book that is different, difficult and hard for us but that allows us to revalue the actions, courage and heroism of our pilots, who were very close to complicating "the work" for the
English. And very close as perhaps in no other English book is reflected.
I share that Morgan's seems the most "experiential", in the sense that he relates both the actions of war and his own feelings, even going so far as to whitewash his personal "inner front" (lover). It also details some post-war aftermath for him.
The account of the actions of 8 June is very hard for us. I thought it was very good, if you want to read experiences from somewhere else.
I also thought pook's was pretty good. He is less passionate than Morgan, but relates quite well his involvement in the war.
And Ward's... His fame precedes him. He is quite superb, hyper critical of the RAF. If you manage to get the whole facet out of your ego, it's also worth reading.
Or I'm wrong???
Thanks
Morgan is the wretched one who in the account of the fighting on June 8, indicates that when he saw the destruction of the Foxtrot boat, he wanted to kill the pilot because he deserved it and when he saw the ejection of this, I wish he was not saved?
Or I'm wrong???
Thanks
By training and belief no Argentine pilot has made public his thoughts and feelings when attacking a frigate or destroyer. That doesn't take away from the fact that several had in mind to "collect some outstanding debt" for a colleague who was no longer there.
Such is
war. Of all the worst, the worst.
Morgan is the wretched one who in the account of the fighting on June 8, indicates that when he saw the destruction of the Foxtrot boat, he wanted to kill the pilot because he deserved it and when he saw the ejection of this, I wish he was not saved?
Or I'm wrong???
Thanks
which pilot is the one that ejects? velazco ?
greetings
As Harrier pilots I read three books: Morgan's, Ward's and Pook's.
I share that Morgan's seems the most "experiential", in the sense that he relates both the actions of war and his own feelings, even going so far as to whitewash his personal "inner front" (lover). It also details some post-war aftermath for him.
The account of the actions of 8 June is very hard for us. I thought it was very good, if you want to read experiences from somewhere else.
I also thought pook's was pretty good. He is less passionate than Morgan, but relates quite well his involvement in the war.
And Ward's... His fame precedes him. He is quite superb, hyper critical of the RAF. If you manage to get the whole facet out of your ego, it's also worth reading.Beyond the combat of June 8, our Military Airmen were attacking, it was them or us.
What if it has NOTHING of chivalry was the attack on the Narwal.
The insanity that these two SHR had, one of them commanded by David Morgan, with an unarmed ship sailing at very few knots... they could have been approached by the British Sea King, as they eventually did.
spirit666
I finished reading "Hostile Skies" and I leave my comments because it is a book of three lucas and maybe this will help you decide to buy or spend that money on another book or something else. We all know Sun Tzu's phrase "If you want to know how you
did in the war, ask your enemy" Well, this is a book written by an English pilot.
With all that this implies and where it is quite difficult to be objective because there are many stories difficult to digest. It is a very well balanced book between the account of the actions and the feelings of Morgan himself. That he includes many letters to his family as well as to a former lover at first baffles, but then he makes much more sense by showing without any qualms his fears, fears, tiredness and the desire for everything to end as quickly as possible.
For Morgan as for the rest of the pilots, the war was a
job. An annoying, tiring and very dangerous job. Concepts such as patriotism, commitment or loyalty to their Queen are not mentioned on any page of the book, marking very clearly the substantial difference in values between our pilots and the English.
Some of the accounts of the attacks and the shoot-downs are
crude. Hurt. Morgan has not been deprived of anything, nor of venting the countless failures of the Sea Harrier, the lack of coordination in many missions or the little experience of some English pilots. The fear of the Exocet, the attacks of our aviation and the anti-aircraft defenses of Puerto Argentino are a constant.
There is abundant information of the attacks, tactics, strategy even technical data that allow to know very in depth the Sea Harrier as the weaponry
used. It touches on some sensitive issues with the filming of some shootdowns, the attack on The Narwal, the Condor air base or the effect of the Beluga bombs.
In short, a book that is different, difficult and hard for us but that allows us to revalue the actions, courage and heroism of our pilots, who were very close to complicating "the work" for the
English. And very close as perhaps in no other English book is reflected.
- [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
FerTrucco
collaboratorAs Harrier pilots I read three books: Morgan's, Ward's and Pook's.I share that Morgan's seems the most "experiential", in the sense that he relates both the actions of war and his own feelings, even going so far as to whitewash his personal "inner front" (lover). It also details some post-war aftermath for him.
The account of the actions of 8 June is very hard for us. I thought it was very good, if you want to read experiences from somewhere else.
I also thought pook's was pretty good. He is less passionate than Morgan, but relates quite well his involvement in the war.
And Ward's... His fame precedes him. He is quite superb, hyper critical of the RAF. If you manage to get the whole facet out of your ego, it's also worth reading.
- [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
k'pla
Morgan is the wretched one who in the account of the fighting on June 8, indicates that when he saw the destruction of the Foxtrot boat, he wanted to kill the pilot because he deserved it and when he saw the ejection of this, I wish he was not saved?Or I'm wrong???
Thanks
- [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
spirit666
k'pla said:Morgan is the wretched one who in the account of the fighting on June 8, indicates that when he saw the destruction of the Foxtrot boat, he wanted to kill the pilot because he deserved it and when he saw the ejection of this, I wish he was not saved?
Or I'm wrong???
Thanks
By training and belief no Argentine pilot has made public his thoughts and feelings when attacking a frigate or destroyer. That doesn't take away from the fact that several had in mind to "collect some outstanding debt" for a colleague who was no longer there.
Such is
war. Of all the worst, the worst.
- [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
Cat
k'pla said:Morgan is the wretched one who in the account of the fighting on June 8, indicates that when he saw the destruction of the Foxtrot boat, he wanted to kill the pilot because he deserved it and when he saw the ejection of this, I wish he was not saved?
Or I'm wrong???
Thanks
which pilot is the one that ejects? velazco ?
greetings
k'pla
I think it was the Ten Arraras- [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
cosmiccomet74
collaborator
collaboratorFerTrucco said:As Harrier pilots I read three books: Morgan's, Ward's and Pook's.
I share that Morgan's seems the most "experiential", in the sense that he relates both the actions of war and his own feelings, even going so far as to whitewash his personal "inner front" (lover). It also details some post-war aftermath for him.
The account of the actions of 8 June is very hard for us. I thought it was very good, if you want to read experiences from somewhere else.
I also thought pook's was pretty good. He is less passionate than Morgan, but relates quite well his involvement in the war.
And Ward's... His fame precedes him. He is quite superb, hyper critical of the RAF. If you manage to get the whole facet out of your ego, it's also worth reading.Beyond the combat of June 8, our Military Airmen were attacking, it was them or us.
What if it has NOTHING of chivalry was the attack on the Narwal.
The insanity that these two SHR had, one of them commanded by David Morgan, with an unarmed ship sailing at very few knots... they could have been approached by the British Sea King, as they eventually did.
- [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]
Encouraging reaction from La Nacion (Argentina) and El Pais (Spain). Also, good vibes from some Argentine pilots who were there.
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad...s-nid14062021/
https://elpais.com/internacional/202...-malvinas.html
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad...s-nid14062021/
https://elpais.com/internacional/202...-malvinas.html
WWII story of the rescue of downed Allied Aircrew from Yugoslavia by the American OSS and Partisan groups....using C-47 Transports landing on a hand cleared airstrip.
Very little notice was given for the gallantry of so many who risked their lives to see to the safe return of so many airmen.
It also discusses the politics that existed that hampered the safe return of downed aircrew and the later Communist takeover under Tito which led to the arrest, trial, and execution of the leader of the partisan group that was so instrumental in the safeguarding and tranposrt of those rescued.
"The Forgotten 500". by Gregory A. Freeman
Very little notice was given for the gallantry of so many who risked their lives to see to the safe return of so many airmen.
It also discusses the politics that existed that hampered the safe return of downed aircrew and the later Communist takeover under Tito which led to the arrest, trial, and execution of the leader of the partisan group that was so instrumental in the safeguarding and tranposrt of those rescued.
"The Forgotten 500". by Gregory A. Freeman
Better rush out and buy it...
Just finished John Nichol's book on the Tornado in GW1. To this layman (=spotter) it was an excellent book. It's one of the first I've read that gives the viewpoint of the families left behind,
as well as the air and ground crews. Highly recommended!
as well as the air and ground crews. Highly recommended!
Thank you Bob, that's much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed it.
It was a tricky undertaking writing about some of my good friends but it it's been really interesting getting the reactions from many of the crews who were there, and even appear in the book. Most say that they hadn't really understood the full story of the Tornado force, what everyone did, what their own friends went through, and especially what the families endured back home.
It was a tricky undertaking writing about some of my good friends but it it's been really interesting getting the reactions from many of the crews who were there, and even appear in the book. Most say that they hadn't really understood the full story of the Tornado force, what everyone did, what their own friends went through, and especially what the families endured back home.
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I posted this on Amazon a few days ago, but I'd like to repeat it here, with a couple of additions:
This is an extraordinary story, long overdue. And John Nichol is well quallfied to tell it, better than most.
I thought I knew the Tornado GR1 well, and the people who flew it. It was my working life for seven years and I knew many of those mentioned, and flew with quite a few. Yet John Nichol, whom I did not know, has peeled away thirty years of a fading memory, to get to the very heart of an astonishing story: delving with immense sensistivity into the hearts and minds of those who served and those who loved them. John has a gift for descriptive writing. And he does not spare us harrowing detail. He tells us how it was. He was there.
For me this was an exceptionally tough read, an emotional roller-coaster, that I could not put down, desperate to know what happened even though, in broad terms, I already knew. But it must have been an awful lot tougher for the many contributors to recount their stories. To fly into hell and back, then do it again, and then again, with one or two less than before, is unimaginable. How they coped belies belief. Those captured found themselves in another hell of man's making. How the families came to terms with fear, with loss, and with not 'knowing' is particularly well told; they have my absolute admiration.
This is a worthy testament to an iconic aircraft, to the airmen and women who flew it and kept it in the air, and to the families on whom they relied.
Yes, it is an extraordinary story, and it is extraordinarily well told.
Wherever Rocky is now, I'm sure he would join me is saying 'Well done, John', on lots of counts.
This is an extraordinary story, long overdue. And John Nichol is well quallfied to tell it, better than most.
I thought I knew the Tornado GR1 well, and the people who flew it. It was my working life for seven years and I knew many of those mentioned, and flew with quite a few. Yet John Nichol, whom I did not know, has peeled away thirty years of a fading memory, to get to the very heart of an astonishing story: delving with immense sensistivity into the hearts and minds of those who served and those who loved them. John has a gift for descriptive writing. And he does not spare us harrowing detail. He tells us how it was. He was there.
For me this was an exceptionally tough read, an emotional roller-coaster, that I could not put down, desperate to know what happened even though, in broad terms, I already knew. But it must have been an awful lot tougher for the many contributors to recount their stories. To fly into hell and back, then do it again, and then again, with one or two less than before, is unimaginable. How they coped belies belief. Those captured found themselves in another hell of man's making. How the families came to terms with fear, with loss, and with not 'knowing' is particularly well told; they have my absolute admiration.
This is a worthy testament to an iconic aircraft, to the airmen and women who flew it and kept it in the air, and to the families on whom they relied.
Yes, it is an extraordinary story, and it is extraordinarily well told.
Wherever Rocky is now, I'm sure he would join me is saying 'Well done, John', on lots of counts.
DEVOTION (Adam Makos) Corsairs in Korea, and the struggle of a young non white pilot to get to operational status off carriers with an ending that is truly gripping and true.
Little slow to start but a good account of the conditions in theatre, and the then normal segregation system. Used as a base story for a couple of films with the usual change of machines and avoiding the non pc bits. A very good read and well researched. Apologies if already mentioned.
Little slow to start but a good account of the conditions in theatre, and the then normal segregation system. Used as a base story for a couple of films with the usual change of machines and avoiding the non pc bits. A very good read and well researched. Apologies if already mentioned.