This is the vivid memoir of a young man who served with both Coastal
Command and Bomber Command throughout the Second World War. Having
joined the RAFVR before the war, Peter Russell was mobilized in August
1939 and, after training, became operational with Coastal Command's 233
Squadron flying Lockheed Hudsons from Leuchars, Aldergrove and St Eval
in Britain's battle for survival in the Atlantic.
After fourteen months Peter was rested and tasked with training
navigators for the impending enlargement of Bomber Command. In 1944 he
joined 625 Squadron flying Lancasters against targets in Germany and
Occupied Europe. Russell took command of 'B' Flight and was promoted to
squadron leader. His memories of the many raids, his crew and
operational flying during this period until the end of the war are
gripping recounted in Flying in Defiance of the Reich.
After the German surrender, Peter headed for the Far East, joining
Shield Force which was tasked with conducting a strategic night bombing
offensive against the Japanese mainland. However, before it could become
operational the war was brought to an abrupt conclusion with the
dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Peter's unit
was, therefore, redirected to relieve Hong Kong, in which the RAF
undertook a purely land operation. The final chapters give a unique
insight into how Japanese military rule was replaced, once again, by
British law and order.
