Going to War, Training, Bomber Command, Prisoners of War
The war in the skies from 1939 - 45 is one of the most remarkable stories to have emerged from the Second World War. Over this time thousands of men - few of whom had flown before - pushed themselves and their aircraft to the limits in a hazardous and entirely new type of warfare. Now for the first time Australians tell this story as they experienced it.
In this, the first of two volumes, former wireless operator/air gunner Ross Pearson covers the war over Europe. From extensive interviews with dozens of veterans, he has crafted a vivid account of their war - from basic training at home and overseas through to strategic and bombing operations and the POW experience.
This collection is both a richly detailed historical document and an immediate and personal story of "ordinary blokes" caught up in truly extraordinary circumstances.