Graham Pitchfork – författare

This edition of The Royal Air Force Day by Day is a diary of significant daily events providing a fascinating record of the RAF’s history. It describes not only the great air battles and major events, but also the tapestry of activities, traditions and culture that have created the rich heritage of the world’s oldest air force. Central to all these themes are the experiences of RAF officers, airmen and women, ground trades and aircrew during war and peacetime.

The stories of many POW escapees are well known, but what about those who miraculously evaded capture in the first place and returned to fight another day? This compelling book tells some of the epic stories of the thousands of shot-down airmen, including Canadians from across the country, who got out from behind enemy lines in Europe, the Far East, and Africa during the Second World War. Based on special first-hand interviews and new research into official debriefing documents held at Britain's National Archives, many of these accounts have never been published before. This books explores the pivotal role of military intelligence in the training, support, and organization of escape and evasion; it also features rare photographs of the evaders and their helpers.

First hand accounts of adventure and bravery from RAF pilots shot down and forced to flee enemy forces. Thousands of airmen shot down over enemy soil between 1940 and 1945 miraculously escaped capture. This compelling narrative reveals their stories, based on first-hand interviews, photographs and official documents, featuring heroes from Britain, Canada, Australia and other Commonwealth countries.These men knew extreme adversity: hunger, thirst, injury, isolation and the constant fear of capture. They also knew great kindness from the local people who risked everything to help them. Their journeys to safety – often across savage terrain – tested human endurance and ingenuity to the very limit.

First hand accounts of adventure and bravery from RAF pilots shot down and forced to flee enemy forces. Thousands of airmen shot down over enemy soil between 1940 and 1945 miraculously escaped capture. This compelling narrative reveals their stories, based on first-hand interviews, photographs and official documents, featuring heroes from Britain, Canada, Australia and other Commonwealth countries.These men knew extreme adversity: hunger, thirst, injury, isolation and the constant fear of capture. They also knew great kindness from the local people who risked everything to help them. Their journeys to safety – often across savage terrain – tested human endurance and ingenuity to the very limit.

Enthralling stories of adventure and bravery from RAF pilots shot down in the sea during World War II – and those who rescued them.The RAF''s Air Sea Rescue Service saved thousands of RAF, Commonwealth and Allied airmen between 1939 and 1945. Those shot down at sea faced terrifying dangers, from weather extremes to enemy fighters, and rescue by airborne or seaborne craft was fraught with difficulty.This fascinating account draws on first-hand interviews, photographs and official documents to reveal some of its most dramatic missions in northwest Europe, the Mediterranean and the Far East.These incredible stories celebrate the courage, persistence and ingenuity of the men who found themselves ''in the drink'' and those who saved them.

Enthralling stories of adventure and bravery from RAF pilots shot down in the sea during World War II – and those who rescued them.The RAF''s Air Sea Rescue Service saved thousands of RAF, Commonwealth and Allied airmen between 1939 and 1945. Those shot down at sea faced terrifying dangers, from weather extremes to enemy fighters, and rescue by airborne or seaborne craft was fraught with difficulty.This fascinating account draws on first-hand interviews, photographs and official documents to reveal some of its most dramatic missions in northwest Europe, the Mediterranean and the Far East.These incredible stories celebrate the courage, persistence and ingenuity of the men who found themselves ''in the drink'' and those who saved them.

This book pays tribute to the quite remarkable bravery of those young men who risked, and all too often lost, their lives for their country during the war. The author, himself a distinguished Royal Air Force officer, has singled out twenty-one men to represent 'the many' to whom he dedicated the book; but he has chosen them with care to illustrate, as far as possible, the wide scope of the duties of the Royal Air Force in wartime.

Of the many human characteristics, few evoke greater admiration and respect than gallantry in the service of one's country. Here, Graham Pitchfork describes the outstanding bravery of twenty-one air men who served in the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. These accounts encompass most theaters of operation as well as a host of aircraft types and aircrew categories. Accounts of the gallantry of those who served on the ground in support of flying operations are also relayed in this substantial anthology. rnrnThe book explores the gallantry of airmen who fought in a variety of contexts, including that band of men who are so often forgotten, the Burma veterans. A gallant RAF sergeant and an RAF doctor who cared for and inspired fellow prisoners in Japanese camps are both included here, as are stories relating the extreme bravery of a Fleet Air Arm pilot, a Pathfinder pilot and a Typhoon wing leader.rnrnThe valorous acts of these airmen serve as inspirational examples to a new generation of flying men and women. Graham Pitchfork extracts the drama and poignancy of their tales, enlivening them to great effect in this riveting publication that is sure to appeal broadly to enthusiasts of the era.Links End Links Author End Author

The stories of many POW escapees are well known, but what about those who miraculously evaded capture in the first place and returned to fight another day?

This compelling book tells some of the epic stories of the thousands of shot-down airmen, including Canadians from across the country, who got out from behind enemy lines in Europe, the Far East, and Africa during the Second World War. Based on special first-hand interviews and new research into official debriefing documents held at Britain’s National Archives, many of these accounts have never been published before. This books explores the pivotal role of military intelligence in the training, support, and organization of escape and evasion; it also features rare photographs of the evaders and their helpers.

Twenty-four aircrew who flew the iconic aircraft with the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force (SAAF) relate their experiences and affection for the Blackburn Buccaneer. Arranged in chronological order, the book traces the history of the aircraft and the tasks it fulfilled. In addition to describing events and activities, it provides an insight into the lifestyle of a Buccaneer squadron and the fun and enjoyment of being a ‘Buccaneer Boy’ in addition to being part of a highly professional and dedicated force. The introduction into service is fully described before further chapters cover the development of the air force’s maritime tactics and the deployment of two squadrons to Germany in the overland strike role. Two chapters deal with the aircraft’s stunning successes at the Red Flag and Maple Flag exercises flown in North America which took the USAF hierarchy by storm. A further chapter is devoted to the intensive but little known Bush War operations by 24 SAAF Squadron on the borders of Angola. Two USAF exchange officers who flew Buccaneers relate their experiences and the aircraft’s deployment for the Lebanon crisis and the reinforcement exercise to the Falkland Islands is examined. The introduction of new air-to-surface anti-ship missiles is covered before the Buccaneer left to go to war in the Gulf where it distinguished itself providing precision laser marking for the Tornado force in addition to carrying out its own precision bombing attacks. This lavishly illustrated book concludes with accounts of the aircraft’s final days in RAF service and some reflections on its impact on maritime and overland air power.

208 Squadron based at RAF Valley in Anglesey will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in October 2016, making it one of the few RAF squadrons to achieve this unique distinction whilst still part of the RAF’s current order of battle. To celebrate this achievement, Air Commodore Pitchfork has compiled a chronological history of the squadron’s main activities and personnel with the aim of illustrating the spirit, comradeship, and professionalism of the squadron. Taking its title from the squadron’s motto, ‘Vigilant’, the book starts with the formation of Naval 8 as a scout squadron on the Western Front during the First World War. It then continues through the various conflicts that Naval 8/208 Squadron has played a key role in, including the Second World War and Gulf War. The squadron’s move to Egypt in the inter-war years as an army cooperation squadron, which inspired the Gizah Sphinx motif for 208 Squadron, is also covered. Its modern-day role as an advanced flying training squadron concludes the squadron’s story. This history has been written with the use of important sources from the squadron’s archives, along with interviews from veterans and current members of the squadron. It also has the support of the squadron’s Old Comrade’s Association, which was pioneered and fostered by its first CO, Air Vice-Marshal Sir Geoffrey Bromet. The association is very active and one of the longest serving and strongest associations within the RAF.EPUB3: Reflowable

Twenty-four aircrew who flew the iconic aircraft with the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force (SAAF) relate their experiences and affection for the Blackburn Buccaneer. Arranged in chronological order, the book traces the history of the aircraft and the tasks it fulfilled. In addition to describing events and activities, it provides an insight into the lifestyle of a Buccaneer squadron and the fun and enjoyment of being a `Buccaneer Boy' in addition to being part of a highly professional and dedicated force.This lavishly illustrated book concludes with accounts of the aircraft's final days in RAF service and some reflections on its impact on maritime and overland air power.

A departure from the Cold War for the Boys series! Researched many years ago by the author for a project which did not come to fruition, Beaufighter air and ground crew gave freely of their stories which ranged from complete memoirs to brief anecdotes. And there were a plethora of original photographs for him to choose from.Graham Pitchfork has built on these reminiscences to trace the roles of Beaufighter squadrons spread across all the theatres of World War Two operations. From home bases, through north-west Europe, North Africa, Malta and the Mediterranean to the far Far East and south-west Pacific, the Beaufighter served far and wide as did the crews of the RAF, RAAF, SAAF and New Zealand and Canadian squadrons. All are covered in this quite unique book to be savoured by all those interested in the war in the air from 1939-1945.

Following the critically acclaimed publication eight years ago of Buccaneer Boys, long-serving Buccaneer navigator Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork has now followed up the great success of the book with more true tales from those who flew the last all-British bomber.Thirty Buccaneer ‘Boys’, drawn from the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force, outline their experiences in the maritime role, operations overland, including the first Gulf War, and operations by the South Africans in the Border Wars. In addition to the aircrew, air engineer officers and ground crew have also contributed.The reader is left in no doubt that the ‘Buccaneer Boys’ knew how to work hard and to play hard. The skill, professionalism and excitement of operating and servicing this iconic British aircraft shines throughout every page.This book is lavishly illustrated with 100 black and white photographs and two-colour plate sections of 40 photographs, many never previously published.

Until the end of the Cold War in 1990, the RAF had several major bases worldwide – largely in those areas where the service had been based during the inter-war years. In Cold War Boys Overseas contributors recall their time at these foreign destinations. With almost half of RAF personnel serving abroad in the 1960s situated throughout Germany, the book starts its focus there with tales of monitoring the Soviet threat. The stories then advance to the warmer climates of the Near East and Far East where different challenges awaited those serving there.As the period progressed RAF squadrons saw changes to their equipment with Hunters, Javelins and Canberras being replaced by a new generation of combat aircraft such as the Buccaneer, Harrier, Jaguar, Phantom and Vulcan. Innovation of missile defence and the expansion of the role of helicopters were also critical at this time. How this affected the RAF is told by the aircrew and ground crew who served then.The stories that feature in the book reveal just how serving overseas was a different way of life and the chapters illustrate the many facets of the RAF’s capabilities across the globe. They also highlight a lifestyle that no longer exists in today’s RAF.Buckle up and allow the Cold War Boys to take you on a thrilling adventure across the globe.

16 Squadron, was, in November 1938, one of the last of the RAF's auxiliary squadrons to be formed, being based at RAF Finningley. Designated a fighter unit, its Spitfires flew with distinction over Dunkirk, during the Battle of Britain, as part of the Bader Wing based at Tangmere and in support of the Dieppe Raid. Then in 1944, it was equipped with the Gloster Meteor jet to intercept German V-1 flying bombs. Later it was used in a ground attack role in Europe towards the end of the war. Disbanded in 1945, with the other auxiliary squadrons it was reformed in 1946, 616 again recruiting from the South Yorkshire area. With the other auxiliary squadrons, it was finally stood down in 1957.

The summer of 1940 witnessed the greatest air battle in history, as the men Winston Churchill dubbed ‘The Few’ fought over the skies of Britain to prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority, which would have paved the way for Hitler to invade our island. Graham Pitchfork charts the development of the epic battle fought by Fighter Command as it reacted to the changes in the Luftwaffe’s strategy, reaching a climax on 15 September before finally coming to a conclusion in October 1940. In addition to the exploits of the pilots in the air, the contribution of the many ground organisations that played such a crucial role is also highlighted in this lavishly illustrated book.