MAIN FORCE TO MOSQUITO MASTER BOMBER

MAIN FORCE TO MOSQUITO MASTER BOMBER 
by Jeannie Benjamin & Sean Feast.

Introducing the authors.
Jeannie is Eric's oldest daughter & also a published author.
Sean Feast is a Bomber Command historian & writer of several books including his excellent 'Pathfinders The Definitive History', which I highly recommend. 

This book is approximately 130 pages, but it packs an enormous amount in.
Whilst I generally attempt to not give too much away in my reviews, readers of the book will instantly learn that Eric was tragically killed when his Mosquito crashed in February 1945, close to Colditz Castle.

This book is the work of both author's research into Eric's RAF service & also provides that of his squadrons, giving the reader a broader picture of what was happening within Bomber Command at that time.
Throughout the chapters there are quotes from the many letters that Eric sent to his wife, Betty. These letters were discovered following the tragic death of Betty in a car crash in 1991, by their daughter.

It is a particular moving book to read when you already know what is going to happen. Eric & Betty's love for each other shines throughout, as does his joy at becoming a new father to two daughters.

His RAF career is really interesting. Following his training he is immediately posted out to France, flying Fairey Battles. On his very first operation his aircraft was a victim to a German Bf109. Badly damaged & with an injured rear gunner, Eric is forced to land in a French field.
Eventually Eric would move onto Lancasters, followed then by Mosquitos as a Pathfinder. 

Sadly just months from the war ending, he was killed. His final letter to Betty arrived several days later.
This part of the book covers Betty's grief & Jeannie's subsequent Afterword is really quite moving. We don't always learn what the families went through after those dreaded Telegrams arrived.

This is a book that I'm sure will stay with you. It is another high quality book from the publishers, Fighting High.
If you have an interest in Bomber Command and aircrew biographies then please do consider adding this to your list. 

The hardback book is available now.
I thank Casemate UK for sending me this book for review.

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