The book in question is titled The Reich Intruders – RAF Light Bomber Raids In World War II. It concentrates on the Blenheim, Boston, Mitchell and Mosquito aircraft. I can see you Lancaster, Halifax and Wellington enthusiasts getting glazed eyes about now, but hold on because there are some fascinating stories coming from the hedge-hoppers (or wave-skimmers) as they attempted to use surprise rather than brute force to achieve their aims.
Flying low had its dangers. Over the sea there was fog to contend with and many aircraft were lost as they became disoriented, a dangerous experience when you are so close to the surface. And over land there were church spires, telegraph lines, and trees to contend with. In fact a disappointingly high number of casualties came from accidents.
We know from statements by people like our Patron, AVM Peter Scully AO RAAF (Rtd), that bombing raids in WW2 had horrendously high casualty rates. This book, by Aviation Historian Martin W. Bowman details individual aviators as they progressed through specific raids. In Blenheim squadrons, just making it half a dozen sorties was an achievement, particularly if you were engaged in the dreaded SAP (semi-armour piercing) low level shipping attacks. Flak was a major obstacle with up to 12 flak vessels protecting just one merchant ship.
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| Bristol Blenheim - photo by John Dibbs |
"..you could not survive more than seven to ten ops.."
The following account by aviator Charles Patterson is chilling – “In the summer of 1941 the casualty rate on Blenheims in 2 Group was such that statistically you could not survive more than seven to ten ops but you had to do thirty. Anyone who did seven trips was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and on average anyone who’d done about fifteen was a Squadron Leader. Due to the fact that I’d survived for so long, I suddenly found myself made a Squadron Leader, when only six or seven weeks before I’d been a Pilot Officer, and I had a flight to command. The tremendous privilege of commanding these men when I was only 21 seemed to me to be the most wonderful, worthwhile job in the world.”
I am only half way through this book and there are some fascinating accounts from aviators – the first time flying over German soil – the first encounter with flack – returning to the squadron room after an op knowing half the aircraft didn’t make it – and so on.
Books have a lot to offer as we attempt to understand the rigors of WW2 for our Odd Bods, and a covid lock-down is a great opportunity to read. The next book on my list was written by an Odd Bod (Ron Fitch – Recollections, A Lancaster Bomber Crew 55 Years On). Then I am looking forward to tackling, Odd Bod John Ireland’s, A Blue Orchid Cook’s Tour.
You might like to refer other books to the membership, particularly if written by an Odd Bod. Just comment below or email me at gregandsuesmith@iinet.net.au
A big thank you to our President, Bruce Waxman, for passing on The Reich Intruders.
By Greg Smith
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