The Douglas Boston in RAAF Service: No. 22 Squadron 1942-1944

“A comprehensive story told in this well-crafted narrative, an excellent read overall. Though not cheap, it’s well worth the cover price and will appeal to both aviation historians and modellers.” – FlyPast

This volume presents the most detailed history and accurate profiles to date of the Douglas Boston light bomber (DB-7B and A-20 models) in RAAF Pacific service. Unusually just one unit, No. 22 Squadron, operated the type. From late 1942 until mid-1943 it flew daring low-level attack missions in New Guinea, before advancing to the Netherlands East Indies in 1944.

This volume illustrates and explains the development of the type in RAAF service, and for the first time closely aligns its Japanese belligerents, in the air and on the ground and sea. It also explains combat and other losses contrasted against the unique operational environment. A wide range of primary source material has been drawn upon including official records, diaries, rare photos, captured documents and operational logs of relevant Japanese units.

The author is world-renown for his expertise on the aerial war in the Pacific, while his passion for the Douglas light bomber stems from assisting with the 1984 salvage of an RAAF Boston from New Guinea.

Raised in Port Moresby, Michael Claringbould is a globally recognized expert on the New Guinea air war and Japanese aviation in particular.