WW2 Aircraft Buffs - Help Needed
Discussion
Well it's my final year of university and that means one thing - the dreaded dissertation. For it I will be working on the role of the RAF in the far east, the exact title will be known once I've researched into just what is available. I didn't want to do the European air war, or the Americans in the Pacific because let's face it, everyone does that. Of course this means less is available.
I'm starting research right away, so first step is to see if anyone can recommend some good books on the RAF/FAA in the Far East. Websites are good as well, but I need to provide a list of published books. Anything detailing pilot's experiences, especially in regard to being in 'the forgotten air war' would be doubly helpful. Cheers!
I'm starting research right away, so first step is to see if anyone can recommend some good books on the RAF/FAA in the Far East. Websites are good as well, but I need to provide a list of published books. Anything detailing pilot's experiences, especially in regard to being in 'the forgotten air war' would be doubly helpful. Cheers!
You should be inundated with great information momentarily. There are so many knowledgable air buffs on here.
However, while we wait I shall tell you a tale.
In 1987, my wife and I went on honeymoon to Kenya, specifically the Masai Mara. To reach our lodge we needed two flights, one in a DC3. On our return we showed our photos to the family. My sister in Law's father gasped on seeing the DC3.He got his log book out and riffled through it for a few minutes.
With a grin he showed us that he had flown that exact plane several times on supply missions in the Far East campaign.
Still, enough of that. Good luck with your dissertation, I hear the real experts approaching.
However, while we wait I shall tell you a tale.
In 1987, my wife and I went on honeymoon to Kenya, specifically the Masai Mara. To reach our lodge we needed two flights, one in a DC3. On our return we showed our photos to the family. My sister in Law's father gasped on seeing the DC3.He got his log book out and riffled through it for a few minutes.
With a grin he showed us that he had flown that exact plane several times on supply missions in the Far East campaign.
Still, enough of that. Good luck with your dissertation, I hear the real experts approaching.
These are a couple of good books,
ISBN: 1844151980
"This is the author's personal account of how the 22 pilots of No 258 Squadron RAF left Scotland in late October 1941 until 120 days later when all those who had not been killed became prisoners of the Japanese. The story takes us to the final defence of Singapore and then on to Sumatra and Java where the author recaptures the atmosphere of the bitter aerial engagements with the Japanese enemy and the hostile jungle terrain over which they fought."
and
ISBN: 9781844156221
"In this book the author not only tells his story of flying against the Japanese but he succeeds in painting a much wider canvas embracing the events leading up to and during the Japanese invasion of Singapore and the Dutch West Indies. The use of many individuals' accounts is possible due to his tracking down and interviewing those who fought with him. He does not lose sight of the 'big picture' and his speculation that defeat was not inevitable raises many questions of the quality of the Allied leadership. He chronicles not just the bravery of the defenders but the atrocities perpetrated by the victorious Japanese against combatants and civilians."
Possibly this one also,
ISBN: 1844153983
"The scene is set with an overview of the respective states of the RAF and Japanese Airforce, and an explanation of how the American Volunteer Group (The Flying Tigers) came to be in China. There is a concise description of air ops covering the Japanese invasion of Indo China, Malaya and Singapore, together with a close study of the sinking of the Prince of Wales and Repulse, which altered the air/sea power equation. The main emphasis is on the use of air power both offensive, defensive and air transport during the protracted Burma Campaign. This embraces operations in the Arakan and the various Chindit long range penetration expeditions. These relied almost totally on air supply and evacuation. In the later stages of the War, the US and RAF combined forces and predictably this was not without controversy. Few realize that US B29s operating from India attacked Japan itself. Finally the role of ground attack aircraft against the retreating Japanese played a significant part in the Allied advance in Burma."
ISBN: 1844151980
"This is the author's personal account of how the 22 pilots of No 258 Squadron RAF left Scotland in late October 1941 until 120 days later when all those who had not been killed became prisoners of the Japanese. The story takes us to the final defence of Singapore and then on to Sumatra and Java where the author recaptures the atmosphere of the bitter aerial engagements with the Japanese enemy and the hostile jungle terrain over which they fought."
and
ISBN: 9781844156221
"In this book the author not only tells his story of flying against the Japanese but he succeeds in painting a much wider canvas embracing the events leading up to and during the Japanese invasion of Singapore and the Dutch West Indies. The use of many individuals' accounts is possible due to his tracking down and interviewing those who fought with him. He does not lose sight of the 'big picture' and his speculation that defeat was not inevitable raises many questions of the quality of the Allied leadership. He chronicles not just the bravery of the defenders but the atrocities perpetrated by the victorious Japanese against combatants and civilians."
Possibly this one also,
ISBN: 1844153983
"The scene is set with an overview of the respective states of the RAF and Japanese Airforce, and an explanation of how the American Volunteer Group (The Flying Tigers) came to be in China. There is a concise description of air ops covering the Japanese invasion of Indo China, Malaya and Singapore, together with a close study of the sinking of the Prince of Wales and Repulse, which altered the air/sea power equation. The main emphasis is on the use of air power both offensive, defensive and air transport during the protracted Burma Campaign. This embraces operations in the Arakan and the various Chindit long range penetration expeditions. These relied almost totally on air supply and evacuation. In the later stages of the War, the US and RAF combined forces and predictably this was not without controversy. Few realize that US B29s operating from India attacked Japan itself. Finally the role of ground attack aircraft against the retreating Japanese played a significant part in the Allied advance in Burma."
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 3rd October 08:05
Could be worth contacting to Burma Star Association to try and get some first hand information.
Burma Star
Burma Star
Ledaig said:
Could be worth contacting to Burma Star Association to try and get some first hand information.
Burma Star
And you couldn't do better than to have a bottle of this Hog's Back Brewery ale on the go whilst rumaging through your files.Burma Star
.jpg)
Part of the proceeds on each bottle go to help support Burma veterans so I cannot think of a more virtuous drink.
Eric Mc said:
Ledaig said:
Could be worth contacting to Burma Star Association to try and get some first hand information.
Burma Star
And you couldn't do better than to have a bottle of this Hog's Back Brewery ale on the go whilst rumaging through your files.Burma Star
Part of the proceeds on each bottle go to help support Burma veterans so I cannot think of a more virtuous drink.
Eric Mc said:
Ledaig said:
Could be worth contacting to Burma Star Association to try and get some first hand information.
Burma Star
And you couldn't do better than to have a bottle of this Hog's Back Brewery ale on the go whilst rumaging through your files.Burma Star
Part of the proceeds on each bottle go to help support Burma veterans so I cannot think of a more virtuous drink.
Dunk76 said:
El stovey said:
These are a couple of good books,
Top work chap!Off to amazon now.
http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/?product_id=1619
Eric Mc said:
Ledaig said:
Could be worth contacting to Burma Star Association to try and get some first hand information.
Burma Star
And you couldn't do better than to have a bottle of this Hog's Back Brewery ale on the go whilst rumaging through your files.Burma Star
Part of the proceeds on each bottle go to help support Burma veterans so I cannot think of a more virtuous drink.
http://www.hogsback.co.uk/acatalog/bottledbeer.htm...
http://shop.pilotwarehouse.co.uk/product15550023ca...
This is an excellent book. Gives a fair amount of coverage to his time in the Pacific.
This is an excellent book. Gives a fair amount of coverage to his time in the Pacific.
does it have to about the air crew?
the RAF ground crew may well be something very different to the norm, life, conditions, how they kept aircraft running in the climate.
did the raf regiment serve there? and what did they do? i know in Italy they were used for laying out bomb aiming markers for both day and night) behind the lines (and being bombed by the Americans) down side is you would be writing the book i suspect.
the RAF ground crew may well be something very different to the norm, life, conditions, how they kept aircraft running in the climate.
did the raf regiment serve there? and what did they do? i know in Italy they were used for laying out bomb aiming markers for both day and night) behind the lines (and being bombed by the Americans) down side is you would be writing the book i suspect.
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