Halton Brat
DOWNLOAD
Download Halton Brat PDF/ePub or read online books in Mobi eBooks. Click Download or Read Online button to get Halton Brat book now. This website allows unlimited access to, at the time of writing, more than 1.5 million titles, including hundreds of thousands of titles in various foreign languages. If the content not found or just blank you must refresh this page
Halton Brat
DOWNLOAD
Author : Reg Miles
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 2021-02-21
Halton Brat written by Reg Miles and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2021-02-21 with categories.
An Autobiography of WWII - Admitted to the Halton Royal Air Force Apprentice School at the age of 15 in January 1939, "Smiler" Miles served as an RAF fitter in England and South Africa and flew 41 operations against the Reich as Flight Engineer on a Halifax bomber. Ending the war with a new bride, Phyllis Dike, WAAF, and flying Avro Yorks, Reg moved on to instructing USAF personnel for 11 years. From there, he went on to such varied pursuits as sapphire mining, poetry, and caravaning across Australia, where he lives today.
Halton Boys
DOWNLOAD
Author : Sean Feast
language : en
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Release Date : 2020-11-19
Halton Boys written by Sean Feast and has been published by Casemate Publishers this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2020-11-19 with Biography & Autobiography categories.
A history of the twentieth-century Royal Air Force training programme as told by the men who lived it. The RAF Halton Apprenticeship Scheme has a deserved reputation for excellence. The brainchild of MRAF Hugh Trenchard, the founder of the Royal Air Force, it took the “traditional” idea of an apprenticeship and interpreted it in a novel way. It allowed teenage boys from any social background or geography to learn a technical trade that would equip them for their future lives, within and beyond the RAF. It also gave the best an opportunity to become pilots and break into the once public-school-dominated officer class. Of the 50,000 boys trained as apprentices, seventeen won the Sword of Honour at Cranwell, and more than 1,200 were commissioned with 110 achieving Air Rank. Eighteen have been knighted, with well over 1,000 others being honoured at various levels of state. More than a hundred Halton Boys served as pilots in the Battle of Britain (and many more as airframe/engine fitters and armourers), including former Olympic hurdler Don Finlay. Others like Gerry Blacklock and Pat Connolly flew bombers on perilous missions over Western Europe or took part in the famous “Dams” Raid. Then there were the three men murdered for their part in the Great Escape, and those who battled and survived years as prisoners of the Japanese in the Far East. In the jet era, ex-apprentice Graham Hulse became an “ace” in Korea, serving with an American fighter squadron, and Mike Hines went on to become OC 617 Squadron after having first flown operations during the Suez crisis. Others like Charles Owen became a pioneer commercial jet pilot, and Peter Goodwin had the misfortune of being captured in the first Gulf War and used as a human shield. Some forged successful careers beyond the RAF, like Lawrie Haynes, who was on the main board at Rolls-Royce and is now chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and Eugene Borysuik—one of the many Polish apprentices trained at Halton, who enjoyed a successful career at GEC. And there were many others beyond air and ground crew including policemen, government officials and even bishops whose careers started with the Halton family. This is the story of Halton told through and by the boys who were there and who are still proud to be called “Trenchard Brats.”
The Path Finder Force
DOWNLOAD
Author : Martin W. Bowman
language : en
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Release Date : 2016-03-30
The Path Finder Force written by Martin W. Bowman and has been published by Pen and Sword this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2016-03-30 with History categories.
Charged with the formidable task of locating and marking German targets for attack by the main force of Bomber Command, the Path Finder Force - 8 (PFF) Group and those in 5 Group - was perhaps the most experienced and highly trained elite group created within the Royal Air Force during World War II. Its aircrew members were almost entirely volunteers and despite the terrifying odds against any individual (or complete crew) ever completing the sixty-sorties tour of operations with the PFF, the most feared punishment' was to forfeit their coveted Path Finder wings and be posted away to other units.This remarkable evocation of a remarkable force is made up largely of narrative and photographs from the men who flew with or were an integral part of the PFF. They alone are best qualified to recount the Path Finder story.While the subject matter herein largely covers the four-engined Stirlings, Halifaxes and Lancasters and twin-engined Mosquitoes of 8 (PFF) Group, the Path Finding techniques used by 5 Group are not forgotten and there are two chapters detailing the work of the Oboe Mosquitoes and other markers in support of the night and day Main Force raids on German and Italian cities and individual targets in the Reich.This book is a fitting tribute to the PFF and in particular, to the crews who failed to return from the PFF's many operations.
Fighter Pilots Of The Raf 1939 1945
DOWNLOAD
Author : Chaz Bowyer
language : en
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Release Date : 2000-09-13
Fighter Pilots Of The Raf 1939 1945 written by Chaz Bowyer and has been published by Pen and Sword this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2000-09-13 with History categories.
The author has selected some twenty RAF fighter pilots of the Second World War, not only to give overdue recognition to their prowess and courage, but also to exemplify the wide diversity of the individual characters of those men whose war was fought from the cockpit of an RAF fighter. A few were familiar names but most received little or no public acclaim, being part of the silent majority which provided the real spine of the RAF's fighter effort throughout the conflict.
Son Of Halton
DOWNLOAD
Author : Charles T. Kimber
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 1977
Son Of Halton written by Charles T. Kimber and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 1977 with categories.
Their Finest Hour
DOWNLOAD
Author : Nick Thomas
language : en
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Release Date : 2016-03-15
Their Finest Hour written by Nick Thomas and has been published by Pen and Sword this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2016-03-15 with History categories.
Their Finest Hour tells the fascinating stories of six of Churchills Few', each of whom played an important part in the Battle of Britain. Celebrated and much respected on their own squadrons, all have since faded into obscurity. Their achievements, against all odds, and the fortunes of their comrades-in-arms, many of whom died during the Battle, are told here in detail, some for the first time. This has been done in an effort to retrieve these stories from obscurity, bringing them to a wider audience and ensuring they are not forgotten. Featured stories include that of Flying Officer Reginald Peacock DFC, the only Blenheim pilot of the Second World War to become a fighter ace; Squadron Leader Robert Reid, who flew throughout the Battle of Britain, having a hand in the destruction of three Bf 109s, and the damaging of two more; and Pilot Officer Douglas Cyril Winter, who flew Spitfires during the defence of the Dunkirk Beaches, before taking on the Luftwaffe in the skies over Southern England.All these stories offer insights into this dynamic period of aviation history. Recorded here, they serve as poignant reminders of the efforts of the 'Few' and the contributions that they made to the Allied effort during the Second World War.
Men Behind The Medals
DOWNLOAD
Author : Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork
language : en
Publisher: The History Press
Release Date : 2009-04-01
Men Behind The Medals written by Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork and has been published by The History Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2009-04-01 with History categories.
Of the many characteristics that emerge in warfare, none generates more admiration than gallantry. Using medal groups chosen for their unique combinations of gallantry and campaign awards, Graham Pitchfork pays tribute to the bravery of twenty Allied airmen who flew combat operations during the Second World War. Encompassing a wide cross-section of operational roles, theatres, aircraft types and aircrew categories, the men behind the medals' experiences and actions are narrated in relation to the wider war. These crucial operations are seen through a variety of different actions, including a night-fighter crew and a navigator who took part in supply drops to Resistance movements. The air war at sea is seen through the experiences of a Beaufighter pilot and a Royal Navy observer who attacked the Italian Fleet at Taranto. As the Second World War generation fade into history, their exploits need to live on forever as an example for future generations. In describing the exploits of the lesser-known heroes of that air war, Graham Pitchfork has ensured that 'The Many' will never be forgotten.
Groundcrew Boys
DOWNLOAD
Author : David Gledhill
language : en
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing
Release Date : 2021-10-27
Groundcrew Boys written by David Gledhill and has been published by Grub Street Publishing this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2021-10-27 with History categories.
This collection of stories from Royal Air Force groundcrew reveals the critical operations and thrilling drama of Cold War hangars and airfields. Groundcrew Boys shares true stories of life on the flight line, written by those who served. Twenty engineers recall stories from combat zones around the world, working with aircraft as diverse as the Phantom, the Shackleton and the Sea Harrier. From humorous and ribald tales to thought provoking remembrances, these stories leave no doubt about the dedication and professionalism of those who served. Aviation author David Gledhill presents helpful historical context for each story, while numerous photographs, many from the groundcrew themselves, help bring their experiences to life.
Gunning For The Enemy
DOWNLOAD
Author : Wallace McIntosh
language : en
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Release Date : 2003-08-19
Gunning For The Enemy written by Wallace McIntosh and has been published by Casemate Publishers this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2003-08-19 with Biography & Autobiography categories.
The World War II exploits of the legendary RAF air gunner, “a true hero who repeatedly cheated death,” from the author of Flying into Hell (The Times). Born into grinding poverty in Scotland, Wallace McIntosh had not heard of Christmas until he was seven, and never celebrated his birthday until his late teens, but he could steal, kill and skin a sheep before he was twelve and snare anything that could be cooked in a pot. Leaving school at thirteen he was determined to escape the constant struggle to survive. Gunning for the Enemy tells the moving story of how the RAF finally accepted McIntosh after at first rejecting him, but then initially gave him the lowliest of jobs. Only by a fluke was he trained as an air gunner. During his time with 207 Squadron, based at Langar, Nottinghamshire and Spilsby, Lincolnshire, he flew over fifty sorties in World War Two. Although Bomber Command did not record details of “kills” by air gunners, Wallace, who shot down eight enemy aircraft with one probable, is widely believed to be its top sharpshooter and at one time he was its most decorated also. He had many hairy incidents and his prodigious memory for detail enables him to recall numerous amazing escapes from death and how each and every night he and his comrades dramatically took the war to the enemy. This is a story of outstanding courage, told with wit, pace and honesty by Mel Rolfe who has previously enjoyed acclaim with such books as To Hell and Back, Hell on Earth and Flying into Hell.
Mosquito Menacing The Reich
DOWNLOAD
Author : Martin W. Bowman
language : en
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Release Date : 2009-04-21
Mosquito Menacing The Reich written by Martin W. Bowman and has been published by Pen and Sword this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2009-04-21 with History categories.
On 15 November it came suddenly out of nowhere inches above the hangars with a crackling thunderclap of twin Merlins. As we watched, bewitched, it was flung about the sky in a beyond belief display for a bomber that could out perform any fighter. Well-bred whisper of a touch down, a door opened and down the ladder came suede shoes, yellow socks and the rest of Geoffrey de Havilland.The memories of Sergeant (later Flight Lieutenant DFC) Mike Carreck who was an observer with 105 Squadron when he first laid eyes on the new de Havilland Mosquito. This was an aircraft that would prove itself to be one of the most versatile and revered aircraft to fly with the RAF in World War II.This book is full of firsthand accounts from the crews that flew the Mossie in its roles as a bomber, long-range reconnaissance and low-level strike aircraft. The author has gathered together many of the most exciting operational reports that cover the period from the types introduction until the end of World War II. The text is interwoven with the background history of the personnel and squadrons, the purpose of the operations undertaken and their often devastating results.