Hilary Saunders (1)

This was written and published 1942. What I always find fascinating about volumes like this one that were written during the War and at a time when things were not going well, is the optimism expressed that they were going to win. Germany would be defeated. This volume explains the efforts made & being developed by the Navy & Air Force to rescue aviators who were forced to land in the water off the coasts of England & France. The rescue boats are described within the limits of not revealing show more too much to the enemy. The rescue floats that were anchoured in the Channel are described and an actual photograph of the interior is included. The real delights here are the many anecdotes of rescues, some coming after the fliers were in the water for days. Great stuff.

What is not revealed in this pamphlet is that the RAF had no rescue system or plans for one in development at the beginning of the war. In fact, there was no rescue system during the Battle of Britain whereas the Germans did have a rescue service combining amphibian planes and fast motor launches to pull downed pilots from the cold Channel to fly & fight another day. show less

Published in August 1942 just as more and more four engine bombers were becoming available, this British Government booklet outline the efforts so far in bombing German targets with mainly inadequate aircraft. Amazing stories of heroism are interspersed in the narrative. Intended as propaganda, the authors do highlight the successes, but also point out the failures such as the disaster of the escape of the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst from Brest to their home ports in Germany. This booklet lets show more us glimpse what the British were thinking early in the War when most things had been going badly. I am always amazed at the optimistic outlook expressed in official histories as well as in fiction of the period. show less

An interesting piece of wartime propaganda, which was tied into a feature-length documentary film, itself notable for excellent photography, authenticity (it was shot using actual aircrew rather than actors) and an excellent muscial score by Ralph Vaughan-Williams.