Flying for Freedom: Life and Death in Bomber Command
Language: English
Published by Mulberry
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.Wonder Book
AbeBooks seller since November 1, 1997
Condition: Used - Good
£ 8.21
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Seller Inventory # K10N-00828
- Title
- Flying for Freedom: Life and Death in Bomber Command
- Author
- Redding, Tony
- Publisher
- Mulberry
- Condition
- Good
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0955928001
- ISBN 13
- 9780955928000
Life and death in
Bomber Command
"Flying for Freedom" is a personal view of life and death in Bomber Command at the height of the bombing offensive against Germany and targets in Occupied Europe.
A large format hardback, Flying for Freedom is an intimate, sensitive account of the human cost of Bomber Command’s war. The story, told by Lancaster rear-gunner W/O Sidney Knott DFC, is set in the context of a detailed assessment of the bomber war by author Tony Redding. This unique combination of dramatic narrative and strategic overview is supported by 115 photos and graphics, many published for the first time.
Sidney Knott survived 64 operations. His first tour opened in January 1943, following a posting to newly-formed 467 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force. His 29 operations with 467 Squadron included many "Battle of the Ruhr" targets. His aircraft, captained by 20-year-old Frank Heavery, attacked Duisburg five times and Essen on three occasions. The crew also participated in three raids on Berlin.
Knott recalls his crew’s dilemma when confronted with a difficult choice, having survived sorties against 12 heavily-defended targets. They were offered the choice of transferring to a new unit for "special duties", or to continue the tour with 467 Squadron. The matter was put to a crew vote. Knott regarded his chances of surviving a full tour at such intensity as virtually zero. He voted for special duties. The crew were split. Two others also wanted to move but three were in favour of staying. Heavery held the casting vote and he decided they would stay put. As a result, another crew was posted for special duties. The members of this crew were the first to die during 617 Squadron’s attack on the Ruhr dams in May 1943.
Of the 258 crews posted to 467 Squadron RAAF, 115 crews failed to return. Many crews during Sidney Knott’s first tour failed to survive 10 operations. Five of 467 Squadron’s Commanding Officers were killed in action.
As a screened gunner, Sidney Knott trained fledgling gunners during his rest from operations. When sharing his operational experiences with the "sprogs", he was careful not to mention that posting to an operational bomber squadron would mean a death sentence for one in three.
By April 1944 Knott had found a new crew. He began a second tour as a Pathfinder with 582 Squadron, also flying Lancasters. While his 35 Pathfinder operations included area attacks against German cities, the focus was the aerial assault on V1 and V2 sites and French rail targets in the weeks leading up to D-Day and the Normandy landings. As the crew’s Pathfinder skills developed, they were given increasing responsibility. Eventually, they flew as Bombing Leader for a series of radar-assisted precision attacks on pinpoint targets.
When Lancaster D-Dog’s engines fell silent at the RAF Little Staughton dispersal at 02.30 on Saturday August 19, 1944, Sidney Knott’s war in the air was at an end. He recalls: "I sat behind the guns for a few seconds, paralysed by the thought that I had a future, after all."
Flying for Freedom is an unusual book, with some strong, controversial views about post-war perspectives on the morality of the area bombing offensive and its contribution to Victory in Europe in May 1945. Knott’s narrative demonstrates how some crews attempted to improve their chances of survival through self-discipline. This book’s intimacy centres on a moving account of squadron life and how every individual lived with unspoken fears. The story is also complete, as it also describes how former aircrew struggled to set aside traumatic wartime experiences and adjust to life on "civvy street".
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
This is a well-researched and fascinating account of the war in Bomber Command from a personal viewpoint. -- Intercom, Autumn 2005
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Wonder Book
Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 9 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 8.19 |
Payment methods
Store description
With 3 stores less than 1 hour outside the DC/Metropolitan area (1 in Gaithersburg, 1 in Frederick and 1 in Hagerstown, MD), we have the largest selection of books in the tri-state area. Wonder Book and Video has been in business since 1980 and online since 1997. We have over 1 Million books for sale on our website and another 1 Million books for sale in our 3 locations. Items on Abe are not necessarily in stock at our retail locations. Please do not call the stores to place orders for Abe Books sales. We have a very active online inventory and as such, we can receive multiple orders for the same item. We fill those orders on a first come first serve basis, but will refund promptly any items that are out of stock. Since 1980 it has always been about the books. ALL kinds of books from 95 cent children's paperbacks to five figure rare and collectibles. A merging of the old and new is where we started, and it is where we are today. Our retail stores have always been places where a reader can rush in looking for a title needed for a term paper that is due the next day, or where bibliophiles can get lost "in the stacks" for as long as they wish. In 2002 USAToday recognized us as "1 of 10 Great Old Bookstores", and we have been featured in numerous other newspaper and TV stories including Washington Post and CSpan. Members ABAA, ILAB.…
Association member
Seller's business information
Wonder Book
Wonder Book and Video, 1550 Tilco Drive
Frederick, MD U.S.A. 21704
Terms of sale
We want you to be satisfied with the book you order. Our general description is
conservative and the book should be as good or better than our general
description
may indicate.
As we often get many requests for the same book, in some cases the book may
already be sold. We will email you regarding the availability.
RETURNS are cheerfully accepted up to 30 days. We ship out within 1-2 business
days and U.S. Standard Shipments usually arrive within 6-9 business days,
Priority 3-6. We want you to be satisfied with the book you order. Our general
description is conservative and the book should be as good or better than our
general description may indicate. We respond to every order inquiry within 2
business days, however our emails may occassionally get moved to spam/junk
folders or refused from your internet/email provider. IF YOU HAVE EMAILED US AND
HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE - PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM SETTINGS AND/OR ADD OUR
EMAIL TO YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Wonder Book, Frederick, Maryland, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
STANDARD DOMESTIC U.S. SHIPPING IS FREE. Priority Shipping is only $6.99 for first item, $1 each additional. Orders ship within 2 business days. Shipping outside of U.S. is typically between $8-13 and takes between 8-15 business days. Heavier books may require additional shipping. Faster Needs Please Inquire.