{"title":"Bomber Command Squadron Profiles","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the heroic history of Bomber Command with these detailed squadron profiles. Perfect for military history enthusiasts, this series offers a gripping look at the brave airmen of WWII. Explore the collection now.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"138-squadron-book-piotr-hodyra-9781911255208","title":"138 Squadron","description":"Most of the deeds of Bomber Command's war are well documented. In the main, the wartime record of each squadron's service, written with reasonable accuracy at the time, is available for scrutiny. As a result, many heroes have emerged since the end of the war, and the full extent of the various roles performed by Bomber Command's squadrons is a matter of history. There is just one exception. Such was the secrecy surrounding the activities of the moon squadrons at Gibraltar Farm, which became RAF Tempsford, that records, initially at least, were a luxury only occasionally indulged in. Brief hand-written entries allow a glimpse into this end of the Special Operations Executive, an organisation, which dispensed information on the strictest need-to-know basis. It was not unusual in the early days for a pilot to arrive at Tempsford on posting, only to kick his heels for days and even weeks, before being given an insight into the station's activities and his part in the grand plan. Later on, the demand to service resistance organizations saw crews pressed into service with much greater alacrity, but the level of security never wavered. The greater one's insight into SOE and SIS matters, the more insistent becomes the question, how did they do it? In 1943 and 1944, with all the latest electronic gadgetry to hand, giant armadas of bombers were failing to find the centre of huge urban areas like Berlin, Stuttgart, Hanover, Leipzig and Nuremberg. Meanwhile, Whitley crews in 1940 and 1941 manage to navigate to Poland, southern Germany and Austria, and find a tiny pinpoint deep in the countryside, whilst the diminutive Lysanders were able to locate and land in specific fields deep in Occupied Europe.Chris Ward's 138 Squadron Profile, drew in part on the unique insight of F\/O Freddie Clark, who flew from Tempsford between late January and early April 1944. Each sortie was an operation in its own right, and had to be dealt with individually. This Profile provides the necessary facts, supplemented by the personal stories of some of those who took part, and includes a large number of photographs including a collection relating to the squadron's 'C' Flight, manned by Polish aircrew, between April and November 1943.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51054730510609,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51054733295889,"sku":"NIN9781911255208","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1911255207.jpg?v=1751413674"},{"product_id":"106-squadron-book-herman-bijlard-9781915335005","title":"106 Squadron","description":"Formed as a bomber unit in June 1938 at Abingdon, 106 Squadron initially operated Hawker Hinds. It soon re-equipped with the Fairey Battle before receiving its first Handley Page Hampdens in May 1939. It was with this type that 106 Squadron went to war, albeit initially as a training unit with 5 Group. Its operational war did not start in earnest until the 9th of September 1940, when it joined the night bombing campaign against Germany. The Hampden was replaced in early 1942 by the Avro Manchester, which by then was approaching the end of its unspectacular service as a frontline bomber. W\/C Guy Gibson took command of the squadron in March 1942, and began the process of turning it into the finest unit in the group. He was able to achieve a level of serviceability with the Manchester that was unsurpassed, although, it should be said, at a time when most of the type's wrinkles had been ironed out. Gibson was keen on innovation, and the first to completely equip his squadron with cameras to improve bombing accuracy. The Manchester was replaced by the Lancaster in May 1942, and from that point onwards the squadron participated in all of the Command's campaigns, and was often selected to take on special operations. After Gibson's departure in March 1943 to form 617 Squadron for Operation Chastise, the squadron continued to benefit from outstanding flight and squadron commanders, whose style was to lead from the front. This enabled it to remain at or near the top of the group bombing table. From the start of 1944 to the end of the war the squadron became almost the permanent owner of the 5 Group trophy for the fewest avoidable accidents. The squadron participated in many notable actions, including the first 'Thousand Bomber Raid', against Cologne in May 1942, the low-level attack on the Schneider plant at Le Creusot, Peenemunde and shuttle raids to Italy, before supporting the D-Day landings and attempting to obliterate the V1 and V2 menace in 1944. The unit ended its war with attacks against German troops holding out in Norway. Having spent time at Finningley, Coningsby and Syerston, 106 Squadron moved into the newly constructed station at Metheringham in November 1943, and remained there until it was disbanded in February 1946. The names of those who graced 106 Squadron include W\/Cs Bob Allen, Guy Gibson, John Searby, Ronnie Baxter, E K Piercy and M M Stevens, along with S\/L Peter Ward-Hunt, John Hopgood, David Shannon, L John Burpee and Bill Whamond. The VC of Sgt. Norman Jackson was one of 267 decorations awarded to the unit's members during the conflict. In a total of 5,834 operational sorties, the squadron was to lose 187 aircraft. Its war was hard, but heroic, its entire purpose, perhaps, best summed up by the squadron motto; Per Libertarte. (For Freedom). The memory of the airfield and those who served there is perpetuated by the Friends of Metheringham Association (FOMA) at the Visitors Centre, Westmoor Farm, Martin Moor, Metheringham. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis hardback edition is also a significant update of Chris Ward's previous 106 Squadron Profile.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51060469367057,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51060472119569,"sku":"NIN9781915335005","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1915335000.jpg?v=1751186994"},{"product_id":"49-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781915335166","title":"49 Squadron","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51060513276177,"sku":"NIN9781915335166","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":51157468905745,"sku":"NGR9781915335166","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1915335167.jpg?v=1751093160"},{"product_id":"75-nz-squadron-book-chris-newey-9781915335173","title":"75 (NZ) Squadron","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51060537295121,"sku":"NIN9781915335173","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1915335175.jpg?v=1751348135"},{"product_id":"44-rhodesia-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781911255772","title":"44 (Rhodesia) Squadron","description":"Originally formed in July 1917 as part of the Royal Flying Corps, it is as a heavy bomber unit in the Second World War that 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron is best known. Manned by a large proportion of aircrew from southern Africa, the squadron was renamed in 1941 in their honour. The crest is based on the seal of the Matabele chief Lobengula, the elephant featured depicting the weight of attacks the squadron was to carry out.At the start of the war, 44 Sqn flew the Handley-Page Hampden. Famously, the squadron was the first to be fully equipped with the Avro Lancaster, the bomber that was to change the fortunes of the RAF in the strategic campaign against Germany. Becoming fully operational with the type at the beginning of March 1942, six weeks later the squadron had the opportunity to fully test their new weapon in the Augsburg Raid. Five of the six 44 Sqn crews failed to return, along with two of the six crews from 97 Sqn. S\/L John Nettleton, who led the 44 Sqn contingent, was awarded the VC.Stationed at RAF Waddington at the outbreak of the war, the unit moved to RAF Dunholme Lodge in 1943 before a further move, in September 1944, to RAF Spilsby. Involved in all the major battles of the strategic bombing campaign in Europe, 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron inevitably paid the price in aircrew and aircraft, losing 43 Hampdens and 149 Lancasters in action.Chris Ward's Profile of this fine squadron explains in detail the significant contribution to the war effort made, and the sacrifices suffered, by the officers and men of 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51112021229841,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51112024867089,"sku":"NIN9781911255772","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1911255770.jpg?v=1750900417"},{"product_id":"408-goose-squadron-rcaf-book-chris-ward-9781915335357","title":"408 (Goose) Squadron RCAF","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51115867504913,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51115870060817,"sku":"NIN9781915335357","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1915335353.jpg?v=1751413435"},{"product_id":"57-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781915335029","title":"57 Squadron","description":"The wartime career of 57 Squadron began within weeks of the start of hostilities, when, as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force, it found itself in northern France at the end of September 1939 and forming 70 Wing with 18 Squadron. Equipped with the Blenheim Mk I the squadron launched its first reconnaissance sorties over north-western Germany on the 12th of October, from which the commanding officer failed to return. The remainder of the year saw the squadron continue in a reconnaissance role with occasional losses to enemy action. The harsh winter restricted operations until March, when the Mk IV Blenheim replaced the Mk I. When German forces invaded the Low Countries on the 10th of May, the Fairey Battle and Blenheim squadrons of the AASF were pitched into an unequal fight against German fighters and entrenched flak positions and were effectively knocked out of the conflict. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWithdrawn to England, 57 Squadron joined 3 Group and re-equipped with Wellingtons to take its place in Bomber Command's front line until a posting to 5 Group in September 1942 brought a new phase of operations on Lancasters. From that point until the end of the war, 57 Squadron participated in all of Bomber Command's campaigns against the Ruhr, Hamburg, Berlin, railways, oil, V-Weapons, tactical support of the ground forces, canals and a second Ruhr offensive in late 1944. It also contributed its C Flight as the nucleus of the newly forming 617 Squadron in preparation for the Dambusters raid. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIt was not a lucky squadron and ended the war with the highest percentage loss rate in the Command. Its record of service bears comparison with any in the Command, and its final wartime home, East Kirkby, now stands in tribute to its crews and those of 630 Squadron.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51294077518097,"sku":"NIN9781915335029","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51354596409617,"sku":"GOR014235048","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1915335027.jpg?v=1750804816"},{"product_id":"619-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781911255864","title":"619 Squadron","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52756164608273,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52756165067025,"sku":"NIN9781911255864","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781911255864.jpg?v=1763575407"},{"product_id":"550-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781915335562","title":"550 Squadron","description":"1 Group embarked on an expansion programme in the autumn of 1943 just as ACM Harris was preparing to resume his offensive against Berlin, the seat and symbol of Nazi power and the key, in his eyes, to ultimate victory.\u003cbr\u003e550 Squadron was one of four to be spawned by existing 1 Group units when it was formed at Grimsby from C Flight of 100 Squadron in November. It hit the ground running and was ever-present on major operations during the remainder of the Berlin\/winter offensive. Thereafter it participated in the pre- and post-invasion campaigns in 1944 and those against oil, communications and V-weapons during the summer, the liberation of the Channel ports and the second Ruhr campaign in the autumn and winter.\u003cbr\u003eThe squadron remained at the forefront of 1 Group operations and took part in one on the final day of the bombing war in April 1945.\u003cbr\u003eChris Ward tells the definitive operational history of 550 Squadron during the Second World War.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52756331462929,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52756333068561,"sku":"NIN9781915335562","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781915335562.jpg?v=1763575916"},{"product_id":"61-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781915335470","title":"61 Squadron","description":"Ein junger Mann geht auf Reisen, die f r ihn Meilensteine f r sein Leben werden. Er findet Wurzeln, aus denen alles Weitere in seinem Leben sprie en wird. Der Autor schildert anhand eigener Briefe an die Eltern seine Erlebnisse im Ashram von Osho, damals noch bekannt unter dem Namen Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, authentisch, ehrlich, begeistert und unverstellt. Es ist die vielleicht zun chst etwas schw rmerisch anmutende, aber immer den Kern treffende Suche des Herzens nach dem Wunderbaren, der Freude, dem Gl ck. Diese Zeitdokumente  ber die Anfangsphase eines inzwischen legend r gewordenen Experiments sind weit mehr als bekannte Botschaften zum Thema Religion, denn hier werden tiefe pers nliche Erfahrung, Innerlichkeit, freie Religiosit t und Spiritualit t sp rbar. Und... es ist einfach die Freude am neuen Leben.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52756468367633,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52756469252369,"sku":"NIN9781915335470","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"102-ceylon-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781915335098","title":"102 (Ceylon) Squadron","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53090061156625,"sku":"GOR014736932","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53110189162769,"sku":"NIN9781915335098","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781915335098.jpg?v=1770119354"},{"product_id":"101-squadron-book-chris-ward-9781915335319","title":"101 Squadron","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53110189261073,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":53110189555985,"sku":"NIN9781915335319","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781915335319.jpg?v=1770578413"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/collections\/bomber-command-squadron-profiles-book-series.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}