Secret Operations Over Occupied Europe: The Bartter Crew, 138 Squadron RAF Tempsford (Autoren- / zusammenhängende Unterschrift). This item is unavailable.
Language: English
Published by Nigel S Atkins, 2022
- Signed
- Hardcover
- Used





Condition: Used - Fair
£ 8.77
Item description from seller
Autoren- / zusammenhängende Unterschrift; Verschmutzung; Leichte Gebrauchsspuren. This book recounts the true story of the Bartter Crew, seven young men from Britain, Canada, and Argentina who bravely fought against Nazi Germany. In August 1943, they joined the 138 Special Duties Squadron based in Tempsford, England, flying low over Europe to support Resistance groups. Their narrative encompasses the covert operations of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action (BCRA), revealing secrets from what was known as the most clandestine airfield in England. Within a few months, they conducted missions in France, Yugoslavia, and Denmark. In December 1943, their mission took a turn when they were shot down over Denmark, leading to a tale of evasion for some crew members and capture for others. The narrative extends to the present, as Nigel Atkins, son of the bomb aimer and second pilot Brian Atkins, retraces their steps by interviewing individuals, including one of the last surviving members of the Vercors Maquis, who shared memories of the crew's operations. Nigel has also formed a friendship with the son of one of the agents they dropped. Additional insights come from recorded interviews with the Imperial War Museum, writings from crew members, and accounts from a former WAAF at Tempsford. Jan Christensen's research into National Archive files further clarifies the crew's operations, aiming to shed light on the human stories of these unsung heroes.…
Seller Inventory # 5a2909f8-a868-46a6-a8ae-aa0c66ffd42b
- Title
- Secret Operations Over Occupied Europe: The Bartter Crew, 138 Squadron RAF Tempsford (Autoren- / zusammenhängende Unterschrift)
- Author
- Jan Christensen
- Publisher
- Nigel S Atkins
- Publication year
- 2022
- Condition
- Fair
- Signed
- Signed by Author(s)
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 173911230X
- ISBN 13
- 9781739112301
This book tells the true story of the Bartter Crew, seven young men from Britain, Canada and Argentina who joined the fight against Nazi Germany. In August 1943 they were assigned to 138 Special Duties Squadron based in Tempsford, near Bedford. Flying low over Europe, skimming treetops
ensuring Resistance groups were not forgotten. This is their story of SOE and BCRA operations, featuring spies, operations that were secret for decades from what was often called the most secret airfield in England.
France, Yugoslavia and Denmark were covered in just a few months. During an operation, in December 1943, they were shot down over Denmark. The story continues with evasion for some, capture for others.
The story comes up to date, Nigel Atkins, the son of the bomb aimer and second pilot, Brian Atkins, has travelled to multiple locations, interviewed people including one of the last surviving members of the Vercors Maquis, who recalled the crew's operation to the Vercors. Nigel is now firm friends with the son of one of the agents the crew dropped.
It is fortunate that one of the crew recorded an interview with the Imperial War Museum. Another crew member wrote about some of his experiences and a former WAAF at Tempsford shared her experiences with us. National Archive files have been researched by Jan Christensen to offer a clear picture of the crews operations.
It is hoped that this book will illuminate the human angle of these unsung heroes.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Nigel is the son of one of the crew and has spent many years visiting the sites the crew dropped supplies to and meeting surviving members of the Maquis and the son of one of the agents dropped.
Maxine holds a first in History and an MA in Cultural History. Her special interest in the SOE stems from her father-in-law who was a radio operator in occupied France with the SOE. Beyond SOE, her interests focus on commercial history and wine history.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.