Aviation in Canada: Bombing and Coastal Operations Overseas 1939-1945

Aviation in Canada: Bombing and Coastal Operations continues where Evolution of an Air Force ends, covering two major themes in the overseas side of the RCAF at war. If you have enjoyed other Bomber Command and Coastal Command books, this beautifully-produced title will be welcomed on your bookshelf.

Here in a new light is all the action with "the bomber boys" fighting and dying every night, whether in Wellingtons or Whitleys, Halifaxes, Stirlings or Lancasters. The same goes for coastal operations as the U-boat and anti-surface vessel wars rage with Ansons, Beauforts, Hudsons, Catalinas, Wellingtons, Whitleys, Liberators, Sunderlands, etc., also all the details about the men and machines battling from Berlin down through the Middle East and out to India-Burma. Tales of incredible deeds and sacrifice. Includes a detailed section covers personal wartime correspondence.

The first readers' comments about Bombing and Coastal Operations are already coming in from those receiving early copies. The first review comes from one of my sterner critics, Hugh A. Halliday, a historian and noted author retired from the Canadian War Museum and a frequent, much appreciated CANAV collaborator.

Hugh has posted these comments on the busy internet forum rafcommands. He comments (seemingly) favourably about the book's "anecdotes and insights from documents, personal recollections, contemporary letters and the contents of trunks and scrapbooks." Writing about my coverage of Laird Jenning's unique wartime career, Hugh finds that certain excerpts "make amusing and provocative reading, and some pointed remarks have relevance today". Then he generalizes how "There is plenty of drama, heroism and tragedy here (the reports of 'sole survivors' of downed bombers are striking). Larry does not skimp on indexes, paper quality, photo captions and clarity of reproduction." To get anything vaguely resembling a compliment from Hugh is a fair miracle at CANAV, so I'm cashing in on his "review"!

Also commenting in advance of our official book launch (October 8), RCAF history aficionado and aviation bibliophile, Ian Macdonald, observes, "Your new format with much larger pictures really is excellent — a wonderful addition to Canadian history." And, as the reviewers often say about any CANAV title, "The pictures alone are worth the price of admission."

272 pages, large format, hardcover, bibliography, glossary, index, 550 photos