Just finished reading this book,by Michael Renaut DFC.
I was given the book by his son as a Christmas present.I had absolutely no idea that his father had been a pilot and had flown Lancasters during the War.We have known each other to say 'hello' to for several years,but had never really spoken much,usually only about his interest in 1950's American civilian clothing, until he spotted me wearing my N-1.He commented on what a nice jacket it was,although he had no idea what it was.This led to us discussing military jackets and me talking about my interest in WW2 stuff.He then proceeded to tell me about his father,and about the book.I expressed interest,and said I would look out for it.He offered to lend me a copy,which then turned into a gift.
I can honestly say,it is one of the best Christmas presents I have ever received.His father not only recounts the day to day life of a pilot,he also tells of the thoughts and feelings of those men in what must of been a intensely stressful environment.He also tells of flying with Charles Calder,one of the legendary 'Dambusters' which,strangely enough,was on tv during reading it.In the closing pages of the book,he talks of visiting Berlin to survey the damage.One of the Russian guards even let him dig around in the wreckage of the Reichs Chancellery,where he found 3 iron crosses and some of Hitlers notepaper.Needless to say,his son has no idea what happened to this stuff although he does remember seeing it as a boy.
Anyway,thought I would share with you one of those rare 'connective' moments that make this pastime so interesting.
I was given the book by his son as a Christmas present.I had absolutely no idea that his father had been a pilot and had flown Lancasters during the War.We have known each other to say 'hello' to for several years,but had never really spoken much,usually only about his interest in 1950's American civilian clothing, until he spotted me wearing my N-1.He commented on what a nice jacket it was,although he had no idea what it was.This led to us discussing military jackets and me talking about my interest in WW2 stuff.He then proceeded to tell me about his father,and about the book.I expressed interest,and said I would look out for it.He offered to lend me a copy,which then turned into a gift.
I can honestly say,it is one of the best Christmas presents I have ever received.His father not only recounts the day to day life of a pilot,he also tells of the thoughts and feelings of those men in what must of been a intensely stressful environment.He also tells of flying with Charles Calder,one of the legendary 'Dambusters' which,strangely enough,was on tv during reading it.In the closing pages of the book,he talks of visiting Berlin to survey the damage.One of the Russian guards even let him dig around in the wreckage of the Reichs Chancellery,where he found 3 iron crosses and some of Hitlers notepaper.Needless to say,his son has no idea what happened to this stuff although he does remember seeing it as a boy.
Anyway,thought I would share with you one of those rare 'connective' moments that make this pastime so interesting.