More WW II Bomber Books Including Yet To Be Published And “Brilliant Reading”

Member, John Arnold, has given us a heads-up on a WW II book about to be published about Edgar Pickles DFC and Bar. Edgar served in some 60 Bomber Command missions and the book about his life can be sourced from www.edgarpickles.com

“I’ll be back for breakfast” – by Di Websdale-Morissey. The life of war hero Edgar Pickles.

And Peter Randell’s list of books continues to impress:-

“Bomber” by Len Deighton gives a fictionalised account of a Bomber Command squadron and raid during the height of the bombing campaign. Deighton has served in the RAF so his knowledge and research are quite spot on.

“Fighter” also by Len Deighton is a factual and strategic, interspersed with personal stories, of the Battle of Britain, presenting both the RAF and Luftwaffe perspectives.

“Goodbye Mickey Mouse” - Len Deighton again, is a fictionalised story of a USAAF Mustang squadron flying missions over occupied Europe and gives a good account from the American Fighter role.

“Special Ops Bomber” by Steve Darlow covers the wide variety of specialised roles RAF and USAAF binning squadrons undertook, including the Amiens prison break, Peenemunde, Dambusters, Berlin by day, and invasion barges during the Battle of Britain.

“Bombers Over Berlin” by Alan W Cooper gives a raid by raid description of the targeted campaign over the winter of 43-44 to bring down Berlin and hopefully end the war. Chilling stats on bomber losses.

“The City That Wouldn’t Die” by Richard Collier takes us to London in May 41 and describes, through many personal accounts, how Londoners toughed out the Luftwaffe night blitz and gave the nation the inspiration to carry on.

“Target Daimler Benz” by Lawrence Cortesi describes the USAAFs raids in 45 to smash the Daimler Benz complex and halt the last ditch by Germany to throw more tanks and aircraft into the fray. It also describes the use of jets against the allies and Adolf Galland’s attempts to use the Me 262 as a fighter and not a bomber.

“Mission Accomplished” by Frank Mares gives the author’s personal account of escaping Czechoslovakia across Europe to join the RAF and fight out the war as a fighter pilot, overcoming incredible obstacles to get to fly.

“War in a Stringbag” by Charles Lamb tells the author’s story of flying biplane Swordfish in the Fleet Air Arm off land and aircraft carriers, mainly in the Mediterranean theatre, and describes a very different kind of aircraft and circumstance we normally think of.

“Night Fighter” by C F Rawnsley and Robert Wright is the RAF story from a personal account of the development of the night fighter force and especially Beaufighters, detailing what it was like to track down and engage in fighting the Luftwaffe at night. Riveting.

“Squadron Airborne” by Elliston Trevor is a fictional account of a week in the life of a Spitfire Squadron in the heat of the action during the Battle of Britain. Great descriptions of what it was like and how heavy the losses were.

“Courage, Honor, Victory” by Ian Hawkins is the first person history of the 95th Bomb Group (H) USAAF 8th Airforce, told by the many men who flew in daylight B17 raids throughout Germany and Europe in their various recollections. Intense reading at times but amazing stuff.

“Uncommon Valour” by Sqn Leader A G Goulding DFM(Halifax from my dad’s 51 Squadron on the cover) tells the story of Bomber Command throughout the war, with particular reference to the role and strategies of Arthur Harris and the authors own missions and time on Halifaxes in 51 Squadron.

“Sherlock’s Squadron” by Steve Holmes tells the story of his father, John (Sherlock) Holmes and his time flying in Stirlings  with 196 Squadron, wth particular focus on the relationships formed with his crew and how they got through the war. Great insight to the friendships and bonds developed amongst men who came from all walks of life thrown together in extraordinary circumstances.

“Air War Against Germany and Italy 1939 - 1943” and “Air Power Over Europe 1944- 1945” both by John Harrington, an RAAF Catalina Pilot are very thorough books describing the development and execution of the bombing campaign throughout the war, including strategy, tactics, campaigns, stats, individual raids and sections on POWs and the RAAF squadrons role in the overall outcome.

“Bomber Pilot” by Gp Capt Leonard Cheshire VC, DSO, DFC, first published in 1943, is his autobiography of his earlier flying missions in Whitleys and Halifaxes and gives a great insight to one of the most highly regarded bomber pilots and leaders in the war and of the strong relationship he had with  his crew.

“The Right of The Line” by John Terraine is another excellent, comprehensive history of the RAF in Europe during WW2, covering all the theatres of ops our Odd Bods served in from the beginning to the end of the conflict. Multi award winning - brilliant reading. 

More Books For Odd Bods

Our list of Odd Bod related books is growing. The depth of writing about WW 2 aviation experiences is immense and we hope you can find something of interest to improve your knowledge of family connected experiences or simply to wile away the time during a covid lockdown.

From President Bruce Waxman:

Flyers Far Away - Australian Aircrew In Europe During World War II - Michael Enright (also recommended by Committee Member, Robyn Bell).

The Last Navigator - by Paul Goodwin. "From the Queensland Bush to Bomber Command and Pathfinders.... "

Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly At Night - by Group Captain Tom Sawyer DFC.

Odd Bods At War 1939-45 - published by Odd Bods UK Association NSW Branch. - A compendium of member's concise interviews about war experiences.

From Vice-President and Secretary Peter Randell:

“Bomber Harris” by Dudley Saward is an excellent biography of the Chief of Bomber Command, giving great insight to the man many of our guys called their boss- personal, political, strategic and his belief in how to end the war.

“Under a Bomber’s Moon” by Stephen Harris describes an actual crew’s tour in a Stirling cut short by being shot down by German night fighters - gives the story of the RAF crew and Luftwaffe crew as well - really interesting perspective from both sides. 

“Hell Above Earth” by Stephen Frater tells the story of Hermann Goering’s nephew in the US piloting a B17 on bombing missions over Germany and the plan to not let him fall into German hands if he was shot down- full on descriptions of what the daylight raids were like and an amazing twist at the end- true story. 

“Pathfinder” by Dennis Warner is Peter Isaacson’s biography and covers his time in the RAF, touring Australia including flying twice under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and then his civilian life developing and running the Leader newspaper group. Peter was heavily involved in the Odd Bods and the Shrine.

“From Luftwaffe to RAAF” by Frank Kobl MBE is a riveting true story of the author’s flying with the Luftwaffe through WW2, surviving a never ending tour of ops, emigrating to Australia and then picking up a role with the RAAF in which he excelled, reaching senior rank and significant leadership roles. 

“Only Owls and Bloody Fools Fly At Night” by Gp Capt Tom Sawyer is all about Halifaxes!! Talks about the author’s experience of several 4 Group squadrons, including my dad’s - 51 RAF- flying out of Yorkshire in the latter stages of 43 - 45. Personal recollections of life and ops at this  time from another less known aircraft. 

“The Battle of Britain” by James Holland gives a much broader overview of this well known aerial contest, drawing on naval, army, hone defence, civilian, airforce and strategic sources to tell the full story behind what was happening in the air. Comprehensive and fascinating. 

“War in the Air” a Freedoms Battle Compilation with multiple authors, tells, through linked personal accounts from all theatres of operations, the story of WW2 as fought in the skies.

“Full Circle” by AVM J E Johnnie Johnson CBE, DSO, DFC takes us from the air war in WW1 right through to present day via extensive stories from WW2, to Korea, covering aircraft, tactics, strategies and personal recollections.

“Lancaster Men” by Peter Rees is another account of RAAF aircrew serving in Bomber Command throughout the UK and their return home, being disregarded for the work they did and price they paid. Many personal accounts bring their experiences to full life.

“Beyond the Call” by Lee Trimble and Jeremy Dronfield is the true story of a USAAF B17 and B24 pilot, having survived a full tour of ops over Germany, taking on a special mission over Russian occupied territory to rescue allied POWs left for dead by the Russians. Riveting.

Availability of these books is unknown, but perhaps start with a google search. If you have trouble locating a book, please mention it in the comments or email us and we may be able to help.