Odd Bods Book List

 

Thankfully much has been written about the exploits of Australian aviators in WW2 and what follows is a list of books on the subject.

The variety of subject matter is likely to satisfy most interests and we would like to thank all those who submitted their reading choices and in most cases offered comment.

A special thank you to President, Bruce Waxman, for his appraisals and to Secretary, Peter Randell, for access to his amazingly comprehensive library.

Some of these books are in print and some are not. You may be able to reach out to members here if you are having difficulty finding a book – simply comment below or email us.

Similarly, please feel free to add your suggestions and comments on WW2 aviation books you have read .

And finally, we also have some excellent reading in the Stories of Odd Bods located right here on the website in the left margin of this page.

"Target Germany 186 Squadron 1944- 1945" by Steve C. Smith. Steve writes in his preface - “This is the history of a single squadron that played a pivotal role in destroying Germany’s oil and transport facilities.  Each member of the squadron can be justly proud, as can their relatives.  Their story is one of heroics and perseverance in getting the job done.” Foreword by Fay McPherson, widow of Odd Bod Gerald McPherson.

"Then Now Always" - Commemorating the 100 Year Anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force, Then. Now. Always covers the story of the AFC and the RAAF during time of both war and peace, with carefully researched text relating to various stages of the life of the RAAF.  These historical facts have been combined with interesting personal adventures to provide a holistic view of the RAAF story, and is illustrated throughout with an extensive range of both black and white, and colour photographs.

This book includes a quote from Friends of the Odd Bods Patron, AVM Peter Scully AO RAAF (Rtd). 

"Best of Times - Worst of Times" Jeff Steel and Joe Shuttleworth. Launched February 2022, tells the stories of two airmen (both mates) with completely different war experiences. Joe Shuttleworth was an Odd Bod, and well known to FOTOBAI members.

Title: Best of Times, Worst of Times: Bomber Command – Two Men – One War 
ISBN: 978-1-922488-81-7

“Chadwick – A Man of Many Parts” – by Nick Richardson - a must for all Melbourne fans and a good read, with a touch of early military aviation history in Australia, and WWII RAAF at the MCG .Available from the MCG shop on line: https://mcgshop.com.au/

“No Moon Tonight” by our Odd Bod Don Charlewood is his personal account of his time in Bomber Command, including his trip over to the UK via Canada as many of our guys did.

“Chased by the Sun” by Hank Nelson gives a great account of RAAF aircrew in the UK in Bomber Command - it even has Halifaxes on the front cover!

 “Flak”, “Fly” and “Heroes of the Skies” (three books) by Michael Veitch - featuring many of our Odd Bods, including George Smith, Walter Eacott, and Gerald McPherson.

“Rear Gunner” by John Beede gives a personal account of surviving the war in this role in a variety of aircraft and squadrons. Gives enormous insight to what Gerald McPherson and Joe Shuttleworth went through.

“Reach for the Sky” by Paul Brickhill is the biography of Douglas Bader, fighter ace who lost both legs pre war but still became one of the top scoring aces before ending up in Colditz as a POW.

“The Great Escape” also by Paul Brickhill tells the story of mainly RAF and RAAF aircrew organising the mass escape via an amazing scheme from their POW camp and the aftermath in which the Gestapo made an example of 50 of these brave souls.

  “Escape or Die” also by Paul Brickhill is a compilation of RAF and RAAF POW escapes from all theatres of war.

“The Dambusters” by Paul Brickhill is the full story of 617 Sqn from inception to the end of the war.

 “Enemy Coast Ahead” by Guy Gibson who led the Dambusters raid is his personal account of the whole raid and he talks a lot about Les Knight - Melbourne born pilot - in this.

“Bomber Boys” by Patrick Bishop gives many personalised accounts from mainly RAF aircrew if their experiences in Bomber Command throughout the war.

“Flames in the Sky” and “The Big Show” by Pierre Closterman are brilliant renditions of his time as a free French fighter pilot with the RAF throughout the war , including his time in Typhoons and Tempests on ground ops support.

“Bomber Command” by Max Hastings gives a concise but excellent overview of the ops, organisation, aircraft, and strategy of this major component of the RAF in WW2.

“The Reich Intruders” – RAF Light Bomber Raids In WW II – by Martin W. Bowman

“Recollections – A Lancaster Bomber Crew 55 Years On” – by Ron Fitch (past Odd Bod)

“A Blue Orchid Cook’s Tour – The War Memories of John Ireland” – (Odd Bod)

“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.

 

“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.

“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.

 

“Wingless Victory” by Anthony Richardson is the true story of Air Marshal Sir Basil Embry’s escape from France back to Britain after having been shot down flying Blenheims in 1940, in which he manages to cross into Spain with much help from the French

 

“Strike From The Sky” by Alexander McKee describes the Battle Of Britain from all aspects, air, land and sea, going through the timeline of the conflict from British and German perspectives, using many eyewitness accounts. Really brings the summer of 1940 to life.

 

“My Story - Battle of Britain - Harry Woods, England 1939-1945” by Chris Priestly is a fictional account of a Spitfire pilot during the battle as told in the first person. It was one of my son’s Level 5 school books and it is an easy read but very well told. Really puts you in the midst of the experience.

 

“Bomber Harris and the Strategic Bombing Offensive, 1939-1945” by Charles Messenger is a comprehensive account of Bomber Command and an objective overview of Harris, drawn from official and unofficial primary sources, looking at his performance, relationships and the factors weighing on him during this time.

 

“The Battle of Britain” by Marcel Julian is a brilliantly written account of this period, using personal stories mixed with the general overview of what was happening at any given time. He finishes with Goering and Dowding, and their roles in the battle. Well worth a read.

 

“First Light” – Geoffrey Wellum. “Perhaps the single best first-hand account from a British Fighter pilot I have ever come across.”

 

“Through Adversity: Britain and the Commonwealth’s War in The Air, 1939-1945”- Ben Kite., being volume 1 (2019).

 

“Undaunted  : Britain and the Commonwealth’s War in The Air, 1939-1945”, being volume 2 (2020) published by Helion and Company, Warwick.

 

“Tasmanians At War in the Air 1939 – 45” This book tells the stories of Tasmanians, in their own words, who served in the RAAF & RAF during ww2. It's all here; the flak, the searchlights and night fighters over Germany, with Beaufighters in New Guinea, Spitfires over London during the Battle of Britain, Sunderlands over the Atlantic and life in POW camps when captured. This is a great read. Action and adventure on every page. At the end of each veteran's story is a brief post war biography. Additionally, there a brief potted biography of many Tasmanians who served in the RAAF, RAF. Edited by Sue Johnson & Brian Winspear

“Voice from the Stars” – Tom Scotland. It is the best I have read by an Australian pilot in bomber command, but based in Italy who flew both Halifax’s and Liberators, the latter being literally  ‘bombed’ with incendiaries by a Halifax, when the pilot of the Liberator, the author, made a 4^th run on the target to drop ‘T’ markers being in a pathfinder squadron. Despite holes and structural and hydraulic damage, and the crew throwing out the bombs, he landed back at base.

"Holidaying On The Continent - The Journey Of A RAAF Volunteer" - Richard Munro.

Jim Munro flew with RAAF 460 Bomber Squadron and he was shot down in Berlin. He became a POW in Stalag IVB until released by the Russians. This excellent book tells the story of Jim Munro, his crew mates, the Lancaster they flew in and the way of life, fears and hopes that the young flyers experienced.