{"title":"Michael Wadsworth","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the captivating world of Michael Wadsworth, where thrilling mysteries and suspenseful narratives await. Perfect for fans of gripping crime fiction and intricate plots. Start your Wadsworth adventure now!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"heroes-of-bomber-command-yorkshire-book-michael-wadsworth-9781846740442","title":"Heroes of Bomber Command - Yorkshire","description":"This is the story of the heroes of Bomber Command in Yorkshire - brave young men who came from all over the world to join Yorkshire squadrons during World War II. The exploits, lives, and in all too many cases deaths of these men, have left a powerful torch to bear for everyone who cares about freedom.  Yorkshire was home to Bomber Command's 4 Group, which had operational bases at Pocklington, Elvington, Melbourne, Full Sutton, Breighton, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Driffield, Lissett, Snaith, Burn and Leconfield. At the beginning of 1943 they were joined by 6 Group, manned almost entirely by the Royal Canadian Air Force, with bases at Linton-on-Ouse, East Moor, Tholthorpe, Leeming, Topcliffe, Dalton and Skipton-on-Swale, with another two bases at Middleton St George and Croft in County Durham.  From these airfields, young men, all volunteers with an average age of 22, flew dangerous and often suicidal missions into the dark, cold, smoke-filled skies above Germany.  Between 1939 and 1945, Bomber Command suffered no less than 55,888 fatalities from a total of 100,000 men. Yorkshire squadrons alone lost 18,000 aircrew. During this time, 21 Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of Bomber Command, three of which went to men serving in Yorkshire.  In this meticulously researched, fully illustrated book the author describes the air war in Yorkshire, and the young men who flew night after night against desperate odds.  The subject is brought to life with detailed accounts, alongside photos of the men themselves and their aircraft.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49539249144081,"sku":"GOR001498823","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50459329724689,"sku":"GOR005009348","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50760172306705,"sku":"GOR010191919","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1846740444.jpg?v=1751313525"},{"product_id":"arctic-convoy-po8-the-story-of-capt-robert-brundle-and-the-ss-harmatris-book-michael-wadsworth-9781848840515","title":"Arctic Convoy Po8: the Story of Capt. Robert Brundle and the Ss Harmatris","description":"When Robert Brundle took the SS Harmatris to Russia with Convoy PQ8 he was 47 years of age. Both ship and master were veterans and had already sailed in convoys across the North Atlantic and to South Africa. The 5,395 ton coal fired ship, laden with 8,000 tons of armaments originally set sail on 27 November 1941 to join convoy PQ6 but encountered a fierce storm in which a lorry broke free in the hold and started a fierce blaze below decks. Despite valiant attempts to extinguish the fire the Harmatris was forced to return to Glasgow for repair. Having discharged its cargo, examined and repaired the holds, it restowed and finally put to sea again on 26 December. She was now to join PQ8 and Brundle was elected Convoy Commodore. Two minesweepers, a cruiser and two destroyers escorted the eight merchant vessels. On 8 January the convoy left Reykjavik bound for Murmansk. Harmatris was struck by two torpedoes in No 1 hold which caused flooding. A third torpedo struck her a few hours later and the crew evacuated to HMS Speedwell in attendance. A volunteer crew reboarded and Speedwell took the wounded ship in tow. During the night the same U Boat that had struck Harmatris sunk the destroyer Matabele with the loss of all but two of her crew. A tug eventually replaced Speedwell and the entire crew now returned to their still stricken vessel. On 18 January the ships were twice attacked by low flying Heinkels. The stricken Harmatris finally berthed in Murmansk at 0800 on 20 January.Once unloaded the battered ship entered dry dock on 10 February. The damage was considerable. In a temperature of 40 degrees below zero the crew set about the repairs. It was difficult to locate engine parts and local labour was scarce. During the following months the crew continued to work on the ship, food was scarce and the port was frequently bombed by the Luftwaffe. Several ships close to Harmatris were sunk. It was 21 July when the ship finally left for Archangel. She took aboard a cargo of 3,000 tons of steel pipes and on 13 September she was instructed to join a convoy of 20 ships, QP14 for her return voyage. On 19 September the minesweeper HMS Leda, steaming close by Harmartris, was torpedoed. The convoy was under almost continuous U Boat attack and suffered six losses.As a result of his heroic efforts to preserve his ship and crew Captain Brundle was awarded the OBE and the Lloyds War Medal. He died in 1960 at the age of 66.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49581829357841,"sku":"GOR006543215","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50272045367569,"sku":"GOR009127485","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1848840519.jpg?v=1750725122"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/author-books-by-michael-wadsworth.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}