That looks interesting Chris. Does it draw on many FAA memoirs? I have a small pile of Swordfish books I have collected recently to read over Christmas- Stringbag- The Fairey Swordfish at War by David Wragg Wings At Sea- A Fleet Air Arm Observer's War 1940-45 by Gerard A Woods Taranto by Don Newton and A.Cecil Hampshire An amazing aircraft. Scott
Hi Scott, A couple, I think: the bibliography includes War In A Stringbag (which I've also seen titled At War In A Stringbag) and Bring Back My Stringbag. It appears that the author interviewed veterans too. e.g. in the chapter on Mediterranean 1940 there is a long passage from John Wellham who was one of those in a flight sent to attack Italian ships at Augusta on 10 July. But I would say the bulk of it (so far) is drawing on squadron records. It was definitely amazing and punched well above its weight!
Have to agree. If you're going to get one book on the Swordfish, this is the one to get. I refer back to mine constantly.
I'm currently stuck into this: Jeffs served on the Dido from 1940 until 1946 so was on board for all the major actions (Crete, Sirte) this AA cruiser fought in.
I've been updating a thread about Air Observation Post casualties. Found this on ebay about these units. Very interesting indeed and well worth £15 for an almost mint copy with dust cover.
I'm having a bit of a bookshelf cull at the moment and I've got a copy of War in a Stringbag going begging if anybody wants it. PM me. I'd rather it went to somebody who's going to enjoy it rather than be slung straight in the bin by some old crone at a charity shop.
You’re correct. It comes from the job title Artificer. The author was an ERA (Engine Room Artificer) hence the title. Armed-forces artificer - Wikipedia Engine Room Artificer - Wikipedia
Just completed this book, which was an instrumental part of my university paper. Horrifying doesn't even begin to describe it - truly the stuff of nightmares.
"Walcheren, Operation Infatuate" Andrew Rawson in the Battleground Europe series. First published 2003, 192 pages A good workman-like description of the battle but let down by terrible maps - I struggled to find some of the places and streets mentioned in the text and found myself constantly skipping back and forth between different maps to trying to find them. There's no bibliography in my edition (reprint from 2019) which is also let down. If you know nothing about Walcheren then probably a good intro, although I'd also recommend the slightly more recent Osprey book. 3 stars (would have been 4 but for the dreadful maps)
...and also (but not WW2 related) "Anatomy of a Merger" by Jones and Marriott, 1972, that I picked up for a couple of quid in a charity shop. Amazing insight into the skullduggery and shenanigins in the world of Big Business...suspect it's not changed that much
Chris, tis only an opinion! There's not much re Walcheren so probably worth it if you can find a second hand copy - not that expensive. I always feel guilty giving a poor review of a book - all the sweat and tears that probably went into writing it. I'm sure it was the authors pride and joy. But not even the author could love those maps.
If you like that kind of thing, try and get hold of "The Rise and Fall of the British Manager" by Alistair Mant - it's very cheap to buy, and very drily amusing.
Finally got a copy of this courtesy to one of those weird abebooks/amazon price crashes. For ages it was £35 at least but now you can get a copy for under a tenner delivered. Covers battle of France, Britain, Malta and India/Burma plus post war service. As far as I’m aware this is the last published memoir of the battle of France that i haven’t read, so a bit sad in some respects! This is the revised edition of his much shorter ‘operation bograt’ memoir so is the one to go for. Only a handful of pages in but enjoying the style. I’ll update this post once I’ve finished it.
I’ve just received my copy of “Once A Patricia”, as recommended by Owen, from Paul Meekins, only £10.99 plus postage, which I am very happy with. Really looking forward to starting this one after I’ve finished Matthew Parker’s “Monte Cassino” which I’m about a third of the way through.
This data book provides an inventory,virtually comprehensive, of over 500 British and Allied vehicles in use in the period 1939 - 1945, including motor cycles. It's contents include all manner of wheeled vehicles, detailed specifications and line drawings which make it an excellent book. Draw back, no photos and the print on some pages is very light but still readable. Overall a very good ref book. available from HMSO, isbn no, 0 11 290408. Graham.
Finally finished Sturtivant's The Swordfish Story. Exhausive detail. I'm exhausted! But highly recommended.