Books - International Bomber Command Centre

Women In Aviation

Helen IBCC — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 14:22:14 +0000

Amy Johnson and Amelia Earhart may be the most famous trailblazing women within the world of early aviation, but there were many others. From the Wright brothers’ sister Katherine, who was awarded the Légion d’honneur, to Mary, Lady Heath, the first woman to pilot a light aircraft from South Africa to England, the history of aviation is peppered with pioneering women who broke down the barriers of this male-dominated field. This is the story of those female aviators: not only the widely celebrated records of Johnson and Earhart, but also the now lesser-known exploits of those such as Mary, Lady Bailey, who was awarded an OBE in 1930. This essential guide also covers the new opportunities carved out for women during the Second World War, the age of space flight and women’s ongoing work in aviation in the modern age of equality.

Published	27 Jun 2019
Format	Paperback


ISBN	9781784423636
Imprint	Shire Publications
Illustrations	Fully illustrated throughout
Dimensions	210 x 149 mm

The post Women In Aviation appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

Main Force To Mosquito Master Bomber

Helen IBCC — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 12:29:57 +0000

Wing Commander Eric Benjamin was no stranger to danger or excitement. In an action-packed career as part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR), he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice for his bravery under fire. He flew Fairey Battles with No. 150 Squadron during the Battle of France, Main Force Avro Lancasters with No. 61 Squadron during the Battle of Berlin, and De Havilland Mosquitoes as an elite Pathfinder Master Bomber in the latter stages of the war. He survived being shot down on his first operation, when his air gunner was severely wounded, and was among the last RAF aircrew to be evacuated from France in the summer of 1940. He was pulled clear of the mangled wreckage of a Vickers Wellington that crashed in flames during a spell as an instructor, narrowly escaping with his life for a second time, and ‘starred’ as a Flight Commander interviewed for Pathé News after a successful raid on Berlin in 1943. Towards the end of 1944, he achieved his ambition of flying Mosquitoes, and was selected and trained as a Master Bomber, operating as part of No. 54 Base in No. 5 Group and helping to mop up what was left of German industry and military might. It was from one of these sorties that his aircraft failed to return.

Authored by Sean Feast and Eric’s daughter Jeannie, the book includes numerous previously unpublished photographs of Eric, his colleagues, and the aircraft he flew. An inveterate letter writer, Eric once said of flying that there was ‘no greater sport’. He died as he had lived, doing what he loved best.

Pages: 192
Illustrations: approx 45 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781838068745
Published: 13th May 2024

The post Main Force To Mosquito Master Bomber appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

Women In War From Home Front To Front Line

Helen IBCC — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 11:35:59 +0000

The changing role of women in warfare, a neglected aspect of military history, is the subject of this collection of perceptive, thought-provoking essays. By looking at the wide range of ways in which women have become involved in all the aspects of war, the authors open up this fascinating topic to wider understanding and debate. They discuss how, particularly in the two world wars, women have been increasingly mobilized in all the armed services, originally as support staff, then in defensive combat roles. They also consider the tragic story of women as victims of male violence, and how women have often put up a heroic resistance, and examine how women have been drawn into direct combat roles on an unprecedented level, a trend that is still controversial in the present day. The collection brings together the work of noted academics and historians with the wartime experiences of women who have remarkable personal stories to tell. The book will be a milestone in the study of the recent history of the parts women have played in the history of warfare.

Authors

Dr Juliette Pattinson, Professor Mark Connelly, Georgina Natzio, Christine Halsall, Jonathan Walker, Major Imogen Corrigan, Dr. Halik Kochanski, Dr T.A. Heathcote, Elspeth Johnstone, Mike Ryan, Grace Filby, Dr George Bailey, Tatiana Roshupkina, Leicester Chilton, Paul Edward Strong, Celia Lee, John Lee

Pages: 237
Illustrations: 30
ISBN: 9781526766618
Published: 20th November 2019

The post Women In War From Home Front To Front Line appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

Backbone of Britain : Women in War, 1939 – 45

Nicky van der Drift — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:45:30 +0000

World War II changed women’s lives – and British society – for ever.

In World War II, British women were still largely spared, or excluded from, combat roles. But the need for their capabilities demanded military service of more and more of them, and in roles where they faced the same risks as men. And the total nature of the war meant danger for all those on the Home Front too.

by 1943, in the UK 90 percent of single women of working age, and 80 percent of married women, were working outside the home in the armed forces, industry and other wartime organisations. Long-held notions of the limited capabilities of women became untenable in the light of the vast and varied contributions. Yet their courage, achievements and commitment are still insufficiently recognised.

Ten such “Women in War” have been memorialised with silhouettes, commissioned from “Standing with Giants”, installed at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincolnshire. Their stories – bold, brave, committed and sometimes tragic – are told in this book, together with histories of the many new and different organisations with which they and other wartime women were involved.

This installation could not have been carried out without the support of companies, organisations and individuals who share the IBCC’s belief in the importance of these stories.

We hope the stories of the lives of these women in wartime will continue to be an inspiration to succeeding generations.

The post Backbone of Britain : Women in War, 1939 – 45 appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

Mosquito Victory

Helen IBCC — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 10:57:50 +0000

The compelling autobiographical sequel to Lancaster Target graphically and humorously describes all aspects of life as a WWII RAF bomber pilot on ‘rest’. Mess life and antics intermingle with Jack’s real task of instructing trainees on the fourengined Halifax bomber. Following his return to operational duties as a glider pilot, Jack was later posted to the élite Pathfinder force flying Mosquitoes of 1409 Weather Flight as a ‘Weather Spy’ where his weather signals provided vital information for the advancing bomber stream. An illuminating portrait of RAF life.

Product description

ISBN: 9780907579335

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 176

The post Mosquito Victory appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

The Animal Victoria Cross

Helen IBCC — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 12:42:38 +0000

Seventy-four animals have won the Dickin Medal, the highest award for animal bravery. Their inspiring stories are told here for the first time in one book, The Animal Victoria Cross.

Four types of animal have been honoured: dogs, horses, pigeons and one cat. Simon the cat is credited with saving an entire ship’s crew. Canine breeds include Alsatians, terriers, collies and spaniels. The majority of awards were related to war service and the conflicts include the Second World War, Korea, Iraq, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. The Al-Qaeda attack on the Twin Towers as well as the Blitz saw great courage exhibited by animals such as Rip, the dog who saved many lives.

In addition to British animals, there are American, Canadian, Australian and Egyptian winners of this unique award.

The post The Animal Victoria Cross appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

The Story of Britain’s Black Airmen

Helen IBCC — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 10:52:27 +0000

Explore the fascinating, rarely heard stories of Black airmen during the First and Second World Wars. The Story of Britain’s Black Airmen celebrates the inspiring contributions of people of African descent to British aviation. From pilots to ground crew, and with tales from across the globe, the story of Britain’s Black airmen is an important part of the history of flying. By aiming for the skies, many of them helped to bring about changes that are still making our world a better place.

Includes inspirational key figures such as Cy Grant, Errol Barrow, Sam King and John Henry Smythe
With full-colour illustration by Grenadian illustrator Elizabeth Lander
For readers aged 8+

ISBN

9780702307423

72 pages

The post The Story of Britain’s Black Airmen appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

Painted Wings by Robin Smith

Nicky van der Drift — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:14:46 +0000

With over 50 of Smith's paintings featured on the right hand pages, accompanied by sketches, photos, and text on the left hand pages explaining the thoughts and ideas behind each image.

Extract from Foreword: "I have often wished that I had the wall space to hang more of Robin's paintings, but now we can have them all in this wonderful book. Not only can we revel in the art, but in addition Robin provides us with explanatory notes with each picture, telling the historical background to the subject and giving some fascinating detail into his thoughts and his artistic 'tricks' in painting them. I am so pleased he has decided to put this book 'Painted Wings', together for our delight and I hope you enjoy it." Sqn Ldr Clive Rowley MBE RAF (Rtd) - former Officer Commanding RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and RAF fighter pilot.

The post Painted Wings by Robin Smith appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

Bomber Command: Churchill’s Greatest Triumph

Nicky van der Drift — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:51:28 +0000

While researching what his father, Roland MacKenzie DFC, did as a Lancaster bomber pilot in the Second World War, retired Vancouver lawyer Roddy MacKenzie became increasingly aware of vagueness and some criticism regarding Bomber Command’s accomplishments. The emphasis was usually on the bravery of the ‘Bomber Boys’, the gallantry of specific sorties, such as the Dambusters, or post-war bombing controversies.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Air World (16 Jan. 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1399017721
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1399017725
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.51 x 3.81 x 23.37 cm

The post Bomber Command: Churchill’s Greatest Triumph appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.

From Coningsby to the Far East.. and Back Again

Nicky van der Drift — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:26:35 +0000

Author Elizabeth McElwee charts the experience of Flt Lt George William Milson DFC from joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve as a trainee pilot in 1939, through his time on operations from the UK, Western Desert and in the Far East,

He became one of the thousands of Far East Prisoners of War [FEPOWs] and spent three and a half years in captivity in various POW camps until the Japanese surrendered in 1945.

The post From Coningsby to the Far East.. and Back Again appeared first on International Bomber Command Centre.