Special Ops Liberators: 223 (Bomber Support) Squadron, 100 Group, and the Electronic War - Hardcover

Steve Bond; Richard Forder

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1908117141 ISBN 13: 9781908117144

Publisher: Grub Street, 2011

The work of the RAF's 100 Group remains one of the least known aspects of the 1939-45 war. Even less has been written about the specifics of day-to-day electronic warface operations and the countermeasures employed. This book, the result of many years meticulous research by Squadron Leader Richard Forder RAF (Ret'd) redresses the balance by focussing on one the heavy units, 223, and its sister units at RAF Oulton, Norfolk. Equipped with former USAAF Liberators, they operated from August 1944 to the end of the European war, with a primary role of protecting Bomber Command Main Force ops by radio and radar countermeasures against German defences. By analysing original documents and recording first hand accounts from both sides of the conflict, including those of Main Force personnel, Forder and Bond present a complete, detailed and valuable picture of the secret and vital activities of the special operatives, and their effect on German defences.

Review:

With considerable personal testimony...Special Ops Liberators provides a thorough insight into the activities of the specialist counter-measures squadrons. --Britain at War Magazine

This is fascinating stuff. The story is told with good balance between the technical, operational and human aspects; high on detail, this is clearly the result of much research. --Classic Aircraft Magazine

An interesting insight into the early days of what would become a ubiquitous feature of modern warfare. --The Bulletin of the Military Historical Soicety

About the Author:

Dr Steve Bond is a life-long aviation professional and historian. He served in the Royal Air Force for twenty-two years as an aircraft propulsion technician, with tours on many different aircraft, and was part of the Eurofighter Typhoon project team in the MoD. A fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, he is also the author of many magazine articles and books including: Heroes All, Special Ops Liberators (with Richard Forder), Wimpy, Meteor Boys and Javelin Boys for Grub Street.

• Publisher: Grub Street
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1908117141
• ISBN 13: 9781908117144
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224