Coastal Dawn: Blenheims in Action from the Phoney War through the Battle of Britain
Oct 2012 · Grub Street Publishing
5.0star
2 reviewsreport
Ebook
224
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
From the author of A Separate Little War, a detailed history of the British World War II aircraft and their brave crew.
In 1940, the defense of Great Britain rested with a handful of volunteer aircrew, Churchill’s “few.” Overshadowed in later folklore by the more famous Spitfire and Hurricane pilots, there were other pilots, observers and air gunners—just as courageous—flying the Bristol Blenheim MKIV-F. The future of the country and arguably that of the free world depended also on their skill, morale, and sacrifice.
Remarkably little has been chronicled of these men and their aircraft—the “Trade Protection” squadrons formed by Hugh Dowding—allotted to 11 Group in October, 1939. The aircraft’s range and endurance made it suitable for defense of coastal shipping against attack on the southern and eastern shores of Britain, and for operations further afield. Indeed, during bitter fighting casualties among Numbers 235, 236, 248, and 254 Squadron Blenheims were high on operations over Norway, Holland, France, Dunkirk, and then the Battle of Britain where the Blenheims were completely outclassed by Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters, and fell easy victims, scythed from the sky. But the record of the aircraft and their crew was an immensely proud one.
Drawing on contemporary diaries, periodicals, letters, logbooks, memoirs, and interviews with survivors, lauded historian Andy Bird reassesses the vital role they played and repositions it in history. In doing so, he justifiably embraces the heroes we have left behind.
In 1940, the defense of Great Britain rested with a handful of volunteer aircrew, Churchill’s “few.” Overshadowed in later folklore by the more famous Spitfire and Hurricane pilots, there were other pilots, observers and air gunners—just as courageous—flying the Bristol Blenheim MKIV-F. The future of the country and arguably that of the free world depended also on their skill, morale, and sacrifice.
Remarkably little has been chronicled of these men and their aircraft—the “Trade Protection” squadrons formed by Hugh Dowding—allotted to 11 Group in October, 1939. The aircraft’s range and endurance made it suitable for defense of coastal shipping against attack on the southern and eastern shores of Britain, and for operations further afield. Indeed, during bitter fighting casualties among Numbers 235, 236, 248, and 254 Squadron Blenheims were high on operations over Norway, Holland, France, Dunkirk, and then the Battle of Britain where the Blenheims were completely outclassed by Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters, and fell easy victims, scythed from the sky. But the record of the aircraft and their crew was an immensely proud one.
Drawing on contemporary diaries, periodicals, letters, logbooks, memoirs, and interviews with survivors, lauded historian Andy Bird reassesses the vital role they played and repositions it in history. In doing so, he justifiably embraces the heroes we have left behind.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
2 reviews
AGENT ORANGE
- Flag inappropriate
March 5, 2020
One of my favourites!
About the author
Andrew Bird is a historian of the Second World War, as well as a writer and broadcaster. He has written two military aviation history books on RAF Coastal Command: A Separate Little War (Grub Street) HB 2003, 2005, PB 2008 Kindle 2012, and Coastal Dawn (Grub Street) HB 2012. Andrew's new style of writing for Coastal Dawn was a hit with readers going straight into the No 3 Spot of the Amazon top ten-bestseller list for the Battle of Britain. Andrew has also taken part in historical documentaries: 2012 he was a consultant and contributor for War Heroes In My Family (Series 1) on Channel 5, made by 360 Productions. Acting as a consultant on BBC Who Do You Think You Are (Series 10) for Wall-to-Wall Media, which was transmitted in July 2013. He is a full-time creative graphic designer, and has worked for an eclectic mix of people: Sir Julian Rose - Harwick Estates Organic's, George Harrison, Robert Hardy, Vince Hill and Rachel Goswell (of Slowdive, Mojave 3) to Reading Outreach Programme, HHR, Leander Club, The Guardian Media Group and Waitrose (part of the John Lewis Partnership). Andrew was drawn by internationally acclaimed artist Dryden Goodwin for his 'Open' exhibition. He is a member of the Society of Authors, and lives in Berkshire - in Elizabeth Taylors (the writer) former house.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
