Coastal Dawn

Blenheims in Action from the Phoney War through the Battle of Britain

Nonfiction, History, Military, Aviation, World War II
Cover of the book Coastal Dawn by Andrew Bird, Grub Street Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Bird ISBN: 9781909808980
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing Publication: October 24, 2012
Imprint: Grub Street Publishing Language: English
Author: Andrew Bird
ISBN: 9781909808980
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing
Publication: October 24, 2012
Imprint: Grub Street Publishing
Language: English

In 1940, the defense of Great Britain rested with a handful of volunteer aircrew, Churchill’s ‘few’. Overshadowed in later folklore by the more famous Spitfire and Hurricane pilots, there were other pilots, observers and air gunners – just as courageous – flying the Bristol Blenheim MKIV-F. The future of the country and arguably that of the free world depended also on their skill, morale and sacrifice.

Remarkably little has been chronicled of these men and their aircraft – the ‘Trade Protection’ squadrons formed by Hugh Dowding – allotted to 11 Group in October 1939. The aircraft’s range and endurance made it suitable for defense of coastal shipping against attack on the southern and eastern shores of Britain, and for operations further afield. Indeed during bitter fighting casualties among Numbers 235, 236, 248 and 254 Squadron Blenheims were high on operations over Norway, Holland, France, Dunkirk and then the Battle of Britain where the Blenheims were completely outclassed by Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters and fell easy victims, scythed from the sky. But the record of the aircraft and their crew was an immensely proud one.

Drawing on contemporary diaries, periodicals, letters, logbooks, memoirs and interviews with survivors, lauded historian Andy Bird reassesses the vital role they played and repositions it in history. In doing so, he justifiably embraces the heroes we have left behind.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In 1940, the defense of Great Britain rested with a handful of volunteer aircrew, Churchill’s ‘few’. Overshadowed in later folklore by the more famous Spitfire and Hurricane pilots, there were other pilots, observers and air gunners – just as courageous – flying the Bristol Blenheim MKIV-F. The future of the country and arguably that of the free world depended also on their skill, morale and sacrifice.

Remarkably little has been chronicled of these men and their aircraft – the ‘Trade Protection’ squadrons formed by Hugh Dowding – allotted to 11 Group in October 1939. The aircraft’s range and endurance made it suitable for defense of coastal shipping against attack on the southern and eastern shores of Britain, and for operations further afield. Indeed during bitter fighting casualties among Numbers 235, 236, 248 and 254 Squadron Blenheims were high on operations over Norway, Holland, France, Dunkirk and then the Battle of Britain where the Blenheims were completely outclassed by Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters and fell easy victims, scythed from the sky. But the record of the aircraft and their crew was an immensely proud one.

Drawing on contemporary diaries, periodicals, letters, logbooks, memoirs and interviews with survivors, lauded historian Andy Bird reassesses the vital role they played and repositions it in history. In doing so, he justifiably embraces the heroes we have left behind.

More books from Grub Street Publishing

Cover of the book The Big Red Book of Tomatoes by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book BEYOND COURAGE by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Alfie's War by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units And Their Aces, 1932-1945 by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Phantom Boys Volume 2 by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Halifax Down! by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book A Separate Little War by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Convoy Peewit by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Into Enemy Arms by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Richard Hillary by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book A Delicious Way to Earn a Living by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Lancaster Down! by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Flying into Hell by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Oswald Boelcke by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Observers and Navigators by Andrew Bird
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy