Enemy Coast Ahead - Uncensored: The Real Guy Gibson

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Makes you proud of this country's attitude and determination during its darkest days not to go under like the rest of europe. Having 'lent' out my original copy of this terrific book, I was delighted to have this well-produced edition once more in my collection. Although the newly - formed unit comprised experienced men, some crews had not completed one tour, with some individuals having flown fewer than 10 operations ( some of the Flight Engineers were actually on their 1st ). It is also an insider's account that sets down in clear, honest detail the challenges that the RAF faced in the war against Germany s Luftwaffe. Although it was written during the war years, it appears an honest account with nothing held back, apart from technical matters.

I happen to think he was quite extraordinary from within the utterly extraordinary mass of men who flew in Bomber Command. The RAF attack on the Ruhr Dams in Germany in May 1943 has come down through history as one of the most famous exploits of the Second World War. This book puts a human touch on a subject whose study has with the passage of time become very objective. top-turret and armor were removed to compensate for the weight of the bouncing bomb (yes, those bombers were sitting ducks for Nightfighters). This edition of the book, published by Crecy, has used that draft, restoring some of Gibson's more robust and less than tactful opinions and comments on personalities, tactics and the course of the war, which the censor and his original publishers omitted.He then explains the amazing training that took place before the attack on the two dams in the Ruhr valley. The representation of the events that he witnessed and experienced epitomises the ‘stiff upper lip’ style that is often attributed to the wartime British. That fame was reinforced by the popular postwar movie "The Dambusters", and by a series of books, especially Max Hastings' updated "Operation Chastise". This is the memoir of Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who led the Dambusters raid in May 1943, written in 1944, but published only after the war ended.

You can always impose extra training, but push your men too hard and they become fatigued, perhaps even damaging their bomber in training or worse, crashing it. We see the crews celebrating, breaking regulations, dodging official sanctions, and how they dealt with the stress of upcoming missions. The bombers attacked four dams ( Möhne, Eder, Sorpe and Ennepe ), and managed to breach the first two. Reading it closely, I was startled by the juxtaposition of bits that are obviously true and well-described, immediately followed by paragraphs of total bushwah.It was this rugged plane that the 617 Squadron used to bomb the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams in Operation Chastise. Hampden in early raids against German forces and industrial targets, through his brief time as the pilot of the night-fighter variant of the Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, and back to bombers in the new Avro Lancaster.

A feature of Gibson's book which is so often overlooked is the 'Battle of the Barges' - Bomber Command's contribution to the Battle of Britain. Flying Training Course with civilian instructors, Bristol Flying School ( Yatesbury, Wiltshire, England ), from November 16th, 1936 to January 1st, 1937. The first half of the book moves slowly, as did the war, but the second half describing the famous “Dambusters Raid,” which Gibson led, is a “page turner.

His campaigns, interspersed with fighter sortees, talks in relative detail, security allowing, about his companions, aircraft and methods of warfare. His natural aptitude for Leadership, his outstanding skill and his extraordinary valour marked him early for command ; for Great Attempts and Great Achievements.

Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. On February 1940, he and some members of the Squadron were put on temporary secondment to Coastal Command, R.Coningsby ( Lincolnshire, April 13th, 1942 ) to fly bomber operations again in Avro Manchesters and Lancasters. Note on 2nd Printing: This edition will be identical to the 1st Printing except that any known errata will be corrected. It is unique as it was written before the end of the war, and unfortunately Guy Gibson gave his life before wars end. Guy Gibson is, of course, more than just a pilot, he was the celebrated leader of the 617 squadron, the Dam Busters.