BOMBER BARONS.

Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Leo Cooper, 2001. 222 pp, large 8vo (9 7/16" H). B&w photographs. "By the end of the Second World War, a grim total of 55,000 air crew of Bomber Command has lost their lives. This figure comprised no less than seventy per cent of RAF fatalities. Yet, unlike their more glamorous fighter pilot colleagues, very few bomber pilots or crewmen were familiar household names to the general public. However, within the ranks of the RAF itself, some individuals stood out gaining high reputations for their courage and leadership, a respect achieved regardless of the decorations they had won or the number of sorties flown. These were the 'Bomber Barons'. In this authoritative book, (the author) chooses a selection of these men. Some like Leonard Cheshire, Guy Gibson and Hughie Edwards, are today well known but others such as Nick Knilans, Syd Clayton and Jo Lancaster, are familiar only to those 'in the know'. For each, the author details their careers and relates episodes that reflect the qualities that made them outstanding. At the same time, the reader learns of the unfolding dramatic development of Bomber Command from the comparatively uncoordinated, non-cohesive raids of the early part of the war to the highly-trained and deadly offensive weapon it became under Sir Arthur Harris, from 1942 AOC-in-C of Bomber Command, and the Greatest Baron of them all." Small very light stain in margin of page 16. Dust jacket has very minor edge wrinkling, a few very tiny dints, very minor rubbing. . Reprint. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good+.