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 Flavours of Greece by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Brotherhood of the Skies by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Canberra Boys by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Pathfinder Companion by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Japanese Army Air Force Units and Their Aces by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book The Lightning Boys by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Particular Delights by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book The Quick and the Dead by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Ship-Busters! by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Five Fat Hens by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Special Ops Liberators by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book V Force Boys by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Down to Earth by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book BEYOND COURAGE by Andrew Bird
Cover of the book Julius Buckler: Malaula! The Battle Cry of Jasta 17 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