Dereck French DFC was one the RAF's most effective bomber pilots during the Second World War. An engaging and uncompromising character, he lived and travelled in Britain, Egypt, and India. His battered old suit case with the label D. J. French RAF was taken on all his trips away from home tied up with a leather belt and sporting a bullet hole. French 's war started in the early, primitive stages of the European air campaign. He flew RAF operational bomber tours over Europe (with 50, 106, 207, 97 and 455 RAAF Squadrons), North Africa (108 Squadron) and India/Burma (CO of 215 Squadron). During this time he experienced the death of friends and comrades on a daily basis, met many of the leading figures in RAF Fighter and Bomber Command, and on one occasion had dinner with Churchill. French was the first Australian to be decorated in the war, and was one of the RAF's most daring officers, who passed on his knowledge to several famous flyers. After the war, he witnessed the huge social changes in British life, before returning to Australia, where he has typically forthright about the treatment of war veterans, and resigned from the RAAF.
Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.
Dereck French served in the RAAF before joining the RAF early in the Second World War. He flew bombing missions on three continents. Flying Hampdens, Manchesters and Wellingtons, he became Australia's first decorated combatant.
Dennis Newton is an aviation journalist and author of many books including 'A Few of the Few', 'Clash of Eagles', 'Australian Air Aces' & 'First Impact'. He edited the Battle of Britain memoir of Gordon Olive, 'Spitfire Ace', also published by Amberley & serialised in the Daily Mail: 'Ever wonder what it was like to fly a Spitfire in the Battle of Britain? No account captures it quite so nerve shredding as this new book'. He lives in New South Wales, Australia.
Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.
Vendeur : WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, Royaume-Uni
hardcover. Etat : Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Ex library copy with usual stamps & stickers. N° de réf. du vendeur rev6060518797
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Vendeur : Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, Royaume-Uni
Etat : Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. N° de réf. du vendeur 54980429-20
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Vendeur : Anybook.com, Lincoln, Royaume-Uni
Etat : Fair. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Dust jacket in fair condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,700grams, ISBN:9781445684659. N° de réf. du vendeur 4331326
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Vendeur : Running Numbers, Grand Rapids, MI, Etats-Unis
hardcover. Etat : New. N° de réf. du vendeur 94-FDC7-8CVP
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Vendeur : Anybook.com, Lincoln, Royaume-Uni
Etat : Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,700grams, ISBN:9781445684659. N° de réf. du vendeur 4142290
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Vendeur : Postscript Books, Newton Abbot, DEVON, Royaume-Uni
Hardcover. Etat : New. 'Jack' French joined the RAAF in 1935 and started flying bombing raids in the Battle of Britain period. He survived five operational tours, flying Hampdens and Manchesters with squadrons in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, despite being wounded several times. Here he recalls his experiences and clashes with the authorities, expressing the frustrations he felt about the bureaucracy and the aircrafts' technical shortcomings. N° de réf. du vendeur 541346
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Vendeur : Rarewaves USA, HEBRON, KY, Etats-Unis
Hardback. Etat : New. An extraordinary and forthright character, Dereck French was an original bomber boy and one of those few who managed to survive the war. His battered old suitcase with the label 'D. J. French RAF' was taken on all his trips away from home tied up with a leather belt and sporting a bullet hole.At the beginning he witnessed Britain fighting for its existence and losing - staggering towards seemingly inevitable defeat. He tells of blunders, sacrifices, and rare successes. He saw the struggle to fight back and eventually find a way to win. Dereck was part of it all. Flying Hampdens, he bombed Europe day and night. He bombed in Manchesters too, an aircraft still experimental and pressed into service too soon. Britain was desperate somehow to find a new weapon, a war-winner. It was costly. In Wellingtons, he bombed North Africa as the war at last turned in favour of the Allies. And from India he bombed Burma as the tide of that campaign was changing too.Dereck's words are not inhibited by wartime censorship, nor are they distorted by propaganda. Events are told frankly as they really happened. Aircraft and tactics are described with technical expertise. People are portrayed 'warts and all', as they really were. It was not in Dereck's nature to pull any punches - sometimes to his detriment, attracting the ire of those in charge. He reveals the impact bureaucracy had on the 'front line' airman who bore the brunt of it all. N° de réf. du vendeur LU-9781445684659
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Vendeur : Pearlydewdrops, Streat, Royaume-Uni
hardcover. Etat : Fine. New & unread, however may have light shelf wear to cover face, edges or corners. Shipped from the UK within 2 business days of order being placed. N° de réf. du vendeur mon0000330006
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Vendeur : Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, Royaume-Uni
Hardback. Etat : New. An extraordinary and forthright character, Dereck French was an original bomber boy and one of those few who managed to survive the war. His battered old suitcase with the label 'D. J. French RAF' was taken on all his trips away from home tied up with a leather belt and sporting a bullet hole.At the beginning he witnessed Britain fighting for its existence and losing - staggering towards seemingly inevitable defeat. He tells of blunders, sacrifices, and rare successes. He saw the struggle to fight back and eventually find a way to win. Dereck was part of it all. Flying Hampdens, he bombed Europe day and night. He bombed in Manchesters too, an aircraft still experimental and pressed into service too soon. Britain was desperate somehow to find a new weapon, a war-winner. It was costly. In Wellingtons, he bombed North Africa as the war at last turned in favour of the Allies. And from India he bombed Burma as the tide of that campaign was changing too.Dereck's words are not inhibited by wartime censorship, nor are they distorted by propaganda. Events are told frankly as they really happened. Aircraft and tactics are described with technical expertise. People are portrayed 'warts and all', as they really were. It was not in Dereck's nature to pull any punches - sometimes to his detriment, attracting the ire of those in charge. He reveals the impact bureaucracy had on the 'front line' airman who bore the brunt of it all. N° de réf. du vendeur LU-9781445684659
Quantité disponible : Plus de 20 disponibles
Vendeur : Pearlydewdrops, Streat, Royaume-Uni
hardcover. Etat : New. Shipped from the UK within 2 business days of order being placed. N° de réf. du vendeur mon0000332252
Quantité disponible : Plus de 20 disponibles