Hell on Earth: Dramatic First Hand Experiences of Bomber Command at War - Hardcover

Rolfe, Mel

  • 3.80 out of 5 stars
    10 ratings by Goodreads
 
9781902304298: Hell on Earth: Dramatic First Hand Experiences of Bomber Command at War
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 1902304292 ISBN 13: 9781902304298
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

A collection of 20 true stories of bravery, survival, and good and bad luck, involving bomber command during World War II.

The following extracts illustrate the drama in this book.

‘It is believed that when Dacey realised the aircraft was on fire he grabbed an extinguisher, hurried aft and tried, in vain, to put out the flames. Somehow he became trapped behind the spreading inferno and was unable to return to the cockpit for his parachute. Alone with his screams, he could do nothing except wait and die as his unsuspecting companions jumped into the cold night. It is likely that Dacey was already dead before the Halifax plunged into the ground and blew up, atomising his body.’

‘Unable to release Jones (mid-upper gunner) they agreed the only way was to chop off his foot, clip him to a parachute and all bale out. Jordan seized the axe, which was part of their escape gear, detaching himself from his macabre task, knowing it must be done otherwise they would all die.’

‘We were marched to a deserted and tatty industrial area, into a short cu-de-sac, where most of the property was badly damaged. A factory wall stood across the bottom and they put us against it. A line of a dozen (German) soldiers stood pavement to pavement, rifles against their shoulders. A corporal stood near them with his hand up. Stan said to me in a low, horrified voice: "They’re going to shoot us.".’

‘We could see the (Lancaster) wing flapping up and down. It could have broken off at any time and going through my mind was the thought that it probably would. But we pressed on. I took a realistic view. I knew the chances were against us getting back and this might be the time everything was going to end. But I didn’t experience fear which interfered with what I had to do.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Mel Rolfe is an author and historian specializing in World War 2.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Grub Street Publishing
Publication date
2008
Language
English
ISBN 10 
1902304292
ISBN 13 
9781902304298
Binding
Hardcover
Edition number
1
Number of pages
224
Rating
  • 3.80 out of 5 stars
    10 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9781902304953: Hell on Earth: Dramatic First-Hand Experiences of Bomber Command at War

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  1902304950 ISBN 13:  9781902304953
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing, 2006
Softcover