Hardcover book - print delayed by Pen & Sword - printing is finally imminent.
It is the story of 144 RAF and 455 RAAF Squadrons being deployed to Soviet Russia in 1942 when the resolution of WW2 was in the balance.
Britain's defences were spread so thinly, despite support from the Colonies (such as Australia and Canada). Convoy PQ17 was badly savaged with 22 of 33 merchantmen sunk with their cargoes. If PQ18 could not get supplies through to the Soviets - they would collapse at Stalingrad.
The book is very wide ranging especially covering the flight of the Hampden squadrons and there being transferred into the Arctic at short notice. their losses in the ferry flight were heavier than expected. In the end Convoy PQ18 got through and reinforced the Eastern Front. To get the Squadrons back, different proposals came out, one was to fly back to the North Atlantic, ditch and await pick-up by the Navy. Marginally more palatable was a proposal to fly them back to the UK via Iran; North Africa and Gibraltar.
The best they could do in the end was saving the air and ground crews who were recovered by a RN cruiser. The aircraft, spares and 3 tons of food were were given to the Russians.
The book should be available by September 2024
It is the story of 144 RAF and 455 RAAF Squadrons being deployed to Soviet Russia in 1942 when the resolution of WW2 was in the balance.
Britain's defences were spread so thinly, despite support from the Colonies (such as Australia and Canada). Convoy PQ17 was badly savaged with 22 of 33 merchantmen sunk with their cargoes. If PQ18 could not get supplies through to the Soviets - they would collapse at Stalingrad.
The book is very wide ranging especially covering the flight of the Hampden squadrons and there being transferred into the Arctic at short notice. their losses in the ferry flight were heavier than expected. In the end Convoy PQ18 got through and reinforced the Eastern Front. To get the Squadrons back, different proposals came out, one was to fly back to the North Atlantic, ditch and await pick-up by the Navy. Marginally more palatable was a proposal to fly them back to the UK via Iran; North Africa and Gibraltar.
The best they could do in the end was saving the air and ground crews who were recovered by a RN cruiser. The aircraft, spares and 3 tons of food were were given to the Russians.
The book should be available by September 2024
