David Fiddimore (1944–2015)

Despite reference to characters and events in its predecessor, this
book can be read without first reading Tuesday's War. It's a
strange book in some ways, dealing with the chaos in the last days of
the war in Europe. The field is ripe for opportunists of all types
(armies, gangs and individuals). Fiddimore takes quite a cynical
approach about the vested interests not only of black marketeers but of
all those with some power to wield. He again pays close attention to
period slang. Not quite as good show more as the first book, but still very
readable indeed. show less

This excellent book portrays the hopelessness of the World War 2 RAF crews who regularly flew bombing missions over Germany. I believe Bomber Command had the highest casualty rate of any branch of the services. In the book the crews compensate by mad and bad behaviour. It is humourous, but black humour. It seems to me to be a very good attempt to bring to life again the reality of those dark days.

A fascinating story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew in the 2nd World War and their relationship with a female pilot who delivered planes. The "RAF speak" reminded me very much of the way my father (a bomb aimer on Stirlings) spoke - very nostalgic. It all seems ruder, drunker and more promiscuous than the impression I got from my father, but probably isn;t far short of the reality. It really brought home to me how fortunate I was to exist, considering how many operations my father did.

David Fiddimore does a fine job of reminding us that Great Britain was constantly at war for much of the previous century: the Boer War and Desert Storm might come to mind, but most people have forgotten British involvement in Cyprus, Korea, Kenya and a host of other conflicts.

The Silent War is set in 1953 and has retired RAF radio operator Charlie Bassett called back to active duty in the fifth book in the series: this time he is sent to Egypt where his mission is to safeguard the Suez show more Canal Zone and protect the interests of British shipping.

A fascinating read – even to someone who can’t tell a Wellington from a wellington boot – full of anecdotal facts and figures and including enough sex to qualify the book as quintessential Dick Fic. show less