Banks, Arthur
First Edition
signed with a personal dedication by the author!
For those who know the Indian Ocean as a fascinating tropical paradise studded with tourist-friendly Islands it may come as a surprise to learn that in World War II it was the scene of a long running battle. Between 1939 and 1945 heavy shipping traffic criss-crossed the ocean. It was the task of the Axis forces to sink as much ofthat shipping äs possible; whilst the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, with very few resources, had to protect those sea routes. One resource was the Catalina (PBY) flying boat, which featured in the film version of South Pacific and can often be seen performing at air shows.
This book unfolds an amazing behind-the-scenes struggle between the RAF Catalinas, along with other aircraft or naval forces, and the dreaded U-boats. Written by a Corporal Meteorological Observer who served in the Catalina Squadrons of East Africa from 1945, the book brings together an extraordinary series of personal experiences of those who participated on both sides in 'the War that never hit the headlines': Fleet Air Arm, RAF POWs in Java and Japan, groundcrew, women's Services and ex-dominion airmen, as well as German U-boat men.
The book features a number of the author's wartime sketches, Cartoons and recent paintings, and a wealth of never-seen-before photographs from the many servicemen, both British and German, who helped compile the story.
Wings of the Dawning is a very human story, that underlines the humour and hardships of serving in the tropics and sub-tropics, and shows how the often severely restricted response of the Navy and RAF eventually overcame the threat of submarines to Allied shipping.
hardcover with dust jacket
416 Seiten / pages
photos, illustrations and cartoons
very good condition, signed
UK - 1996 - images Publishing
Art.Nr. 24985
