Following on from AndyOz's post http://ww2chat.com/forums/biographies/1070-f-l-ernest-e-allen-dfc.html I realised that one RAF Command that usually gets overlooked is Ferry Command. This site is a great introduction to their work and accomplishments: CBC.ca - Above & Beyond and a book I really enjoyed: Amazon.com: Ocean Bridge: The History of RAF Ferry Command: Books: Carl A. Christie A personal history: FERRYMAN by Air Commodore Taffy Powell
Don McVicar flew with Ferry Command, served under Taffy Powell, and wrote several books published in the 80's. I think the first one was called "Ferry Command". He seemed a bit full of himself at times and I wouldn't rely on him for history, but he could certainly spin a yarn about flying.
McVicar was quite an adventurer, but it was contributions to navigation that probably earned his place in Ferry Command history. Interestingly, most early Ferry Command pilots were, err, charactors. It was the nature of their recruitment because the RAF wouldn't release trained pilots. So the likes of Powell had to find bush pilots, barn stormers and other "misfits" to do the job. And you had to be pretty eccentric to takeon crossing the Atlantic at that tme. Navigation was poor, the routes untested, and if anything went wrong therewas virtually no hopeof rescue.
"Atlantic Bridge The Official Account Of R.A.F. Transport Command's Ocean Ferry" is a book I own. Printed in 1945 it covers this unit quite fully.
I keep meaning to get a copy of that. The wartime publications have some great photos that often don't get reproduced.
Anyone makes it to my neck of the woods in the next few months I'll take you to the second hand bookshop in Buxton, they have several shelves full of those Minsitry of War and Info books on different units.
You are the worst sort of tease, Kitty. Right, I'll have shelves 2, 3 and 4. Just pop'em into the post please.
then send me some cash. this place is 4 stories high and crammed with lots of books. loads of 1st editions and then just piles of books everywhere.
We could all gather together and mount a daring night time raid, but the five or six lorries parked outside would be a dead give away!
oops eep: Amazon.co.uk: The Reconstruction of Warriors: Archibald McIndoe, the Royal Air Force and the Guinea Pig Club: Books: E.R. Mayhew bought for a fiver last night. Cheers David, will have to get a copy in the morning. Aarrgghh another book - I must learn to read one day.
