| ID | Description | Categories | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1662 | TOWNEND, John Michael. Overture to Life: Being the Chronicle of Things Seen and Done by a Cadet in the Fleet Air Arm while Training as a Pilot in the USA and Canada. 150p., illus. London: Rich & Cowan, [1944].
An expansion of letters to his parents covering a training period overseas in 1942–43. |
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| 1663 | TWISS, Peter. Faster than the Sun. 223p., illus., index. London: Macdonald, 1963.
He joined the FAA in 1939. He volunteered for CAM ships but soon transferred to 807 Squadron on Ark Royal. After her sinking, the squadron moved to Argus and campaigned in the Mediterranean before returning to the UK to re-equip with Seafires. In 1944 he was part of the Naval Mission to the US. Most of the book is concerned with his record breaking flights in the Fairey Delta in 1952. Reprinted by Grub Street in 2000 (ISBN: 1902304438). |
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| 1664 | VICARY, Adrian. Naval Wings: Royal Naval Carrier-Borne Aircraft since 1916. 110p., bibliog., illus., index. Cambridge: PSL, 1984. ISBN: 0850596602.
A good general survey. |
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| 1665 | WALLACE, Gordon. Carrier Observer: A Back-Seat Aviator's Story. 217p., bibliog., illus., index. Shrewsbury: Airlife, 1993. ISBN: 0850596602.
Wallace joined the FAA in 1940 and after training joined 831 Squadron with Indomitable in September 1941. After action against the Japanese and a brief spell in Kenya she went to the Mediterranean but was damaged in the Pedestal convoy action. The author returned to the UK and joined 18 Squadron of the RAF, which promptly moved to Algiers. He was badly wounded in December 1942 and returned to the UK. After a period as an instructor he joined 812 Squadron flying Barracudas in June 1944. The Squadron operated from Vengeance, which was based in the Mediterranean. |
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| 1666 | WELLHAM, John. With Naval Wings: The Autobiography of a Fleet Air Arm Pilot in World War II. 199p., illus. Staplemount: Spellhurst, 1995. ISBN: 1873376332.
Wellham joined the RAF in 1936 and transferred to the FAA in 1939. He was appointed to 824 Squadron in Eagle and served on the China Station and in the Mediterranean, memorably taking part in the attack on Taranto. He left her for a series of temporary appointments before becoming Commander (Flying) on Biter in the North Atlantic. In August 1944 he transferred to Empress in the same role. He saw out the war with her in the Pacific. |
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| 1667 | WILSON, H. "Tug." Horses, Huns and Hostesses. 547p. Lewes, Book Guild, 1993. ISBN: 0863328253.
Wilson was on Glorious in 1939 then helped cover the BEF withdrawal. In 1941 he joined 804 Squadron working on CAM ships and successively survived the sinking of Patia, Michael E., and Springbank. In 1942 he took over as CO of 834 Squadron on Archer. He next worked on developing MAC ship tactics and after sailing with them joined the staff of FO Carrier Training at Largs. |
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| 1668 | WINTON, John. Air Power at Sea 1939–45. 186p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Sidgwick & Jackson; New York, Crowell, 1976. ISBN: 0283983132.
A general account, profusely illustrated. |
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| 1669 | WINTON, John. Find, Fix and Strike! The Fleet Air Arm at War 1939–45. [vii], 152p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Batsford, 1980. ISBN: 0713434880.
An enjoyable if slight history of "the great headline stories," much of it recalled through the memories of participants. |
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| 1670 | WOODS, Gerard A. Wings at Sea: A Fleet Air Arm Observer's War 1940–45. 272p., illus., index. London: Conway, 1985. ISBN: 0851773192.
The author had an active career, serving in Ark Royal in 1940–41, including the Bismarck hunt; in Victorious and Formidable in 1941–42, in Icelandic waters and with the Eastern Fleet respectively. In 1942–43 he served on liaison and training duties in the Mediterranean and took part in the Salerno landings. After a spell in India he returned to the UK as a squadron commander. An enjoyable gossipy book which reads like a letter to an old friend. |
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| 1671 | WRAGG, David. The Fleet Air Arm Handbook, 1939-1945. viii, 263 p., bibliog., illus., index. Stroud: Sutton, 2003. ISBN: 0750934301.
Aims to be a comprehensive review. Starting with a brief history, it continues with a full war diary of all of the major operations. Looks at the food, accommodation, training, activities and uniform as well as the mens' character. Gives a view of the aircraft, squadrons, naval air stations and aircraft carriers, battleships and cruisers involved. The book ends with a review of what is available at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton. |
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| 1672 | WRAGG, David. Stringbag: the Fairey Swordfish at War. 218p., bibliog., illus., index. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation, 2004. ISBN: 1844151301.
First-hand accounts of flying the FAA's most famous World War II aeroplane. |
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| 1673 | WREN, A. H. Naval Fighter Pilot Lt. Cdr. R. J. Cork DSO, DSC, RN: The Story of the Fleet Air Arm's Unsung Hero and the Men with Whom He served. [vi], 244p., illus. Lichfield: Heron Books, 1998. ISBN: 0953225003.
A long overdue biography of the naval ace who flew with Bader in the Battle of Britain. Later he joined 880 Squadron and operated against Norway and in WS convoy support from Furious. In late 1941 the squadron joined Indomitable, working up in the Clyde and West Indies before joining the Eastern Fleet for the attack on Madagascar, then taking part in the Pedestal convoy. He next returned to Yeovilton as a flying instructor. In late 1943 he was posted to 15th Fighter Wing as Wing Leader based on Illustrious, which joined the Eastern Fleet. He was killed in a tragiclanding accident at China Bay in Ceylon in April 1944. The book questions the blame officially attached to him. |
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| 1674 | WYNN, Kenneth G. Men of the Battle of Britain: A Who was Who of the Pilots and Aircrew, British, Commonwealth and Allied Who Flew with Royal Air Force Fighter Command July 10 to October 31 1940. x, 470p., bibliog., illus., index. Norfolk: Gliddon Books, 1989. ISBN: 0947893156.
A biographical dictionary which usefully records the careers of the little known handful of FAA pilots who were loaned to Fighter Command for the Battle of Britain. A supplementary volume was published in 1992 (ISBN: 0947893253). |
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| 1675 | Naval Honours and Awards 1939–1940. xvi, 276p., illus., index. London: Bles, 1942.
Publishes in chronological order the official lists and citations of all those receiving honours for service or gallantry at sea, in the first fifteen months of the war. |
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| 1676 | ATKINSON, James J. By Skill & Valour: Honours and Awards to the Royal Australian Navy for the First and Second World Wars. x, 243p., illus. Sydney: Spink & Son (Australia), 1986. ISBN: 0959320318.
A roll call of bravery. Arranged by conflict, with an alphabetical listing and a brief citation. |
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| 1677 | BISSET, Ian. The George Cross. 260p., bibliog., index. London: MacGibbon & Kee, 1961.
The first attempt to list all of the George Cross recipients with some account of the reasons for the award. Incomplete, but a good try. |
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| 1678 | BLATHERWICK, F. J. Royal Canadian Navy Honours - Decorations - Medals, 1910–1968. 86p. New Westminster (B.C.): FJB AIR Publications, 1992. ISBN: 0969552629.
A straightforward listing arranged by award, with bare personal details. |
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| 1679 | BOWYER, Chaz. For Valour: The Air VCs. 548p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Kimber, 1978. ISBN: 071830425X.
Lists 19 WWI and 31 WWII VCs, giving a brief biography and account of how the medal was won. Covers FAA and Coastal Command as well as attacks on shipping. A second edition published by Grub Street in 1992. |
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| 1680 | BROWN, George A. Commando Gallantry Awards of World War Two. 337p., London: London Stamp Exchange, 1991. ISBN: 0948130091.
The Commandos of course won many such awards. |
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| 1681 | DICKSON, Bill Chatterton. Seedie's List of Awards to the Merchant Navy for World War II. xiv, 240, [28]p., bibliog., index. Tisbury: Ripley Registers, 1997. ISBN: 0951338048.
The pseudonymous author has transcribed the Naval Secretary's Honours and Awards card index after his retirement from the RN in 1986. This has been linked to the MoWT weekly supplements to the London Gazette. The computer has then been used to sort these into groups. This list is arranged by ship followed by a small section of miscellaneous awards. There is full indexing and some limited information on the reasons for the awards and the fate of the ships. |
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