| Reviews of Even When the Sparrows are Walking |
| Contact Information: Name: Laurie Brettingham Email: |
| *The aircraft flying across this page is a Handley Page Halifax Mk.III of No. 192 Squadron. |
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| Reviews The author's first book, Beam Benders, published in 1997, charted the history of No. 80 (Signals) Wing and this new study of the origins and effects of No. 100 (Bomber Support) Group is a very worthy follow-up. Laurie has produced a meticulous study, interlaced with many first-hand recollections from those who 'spoofed' the enemy and wreaked quiet, unsung havoc. Ken Ellis., 'Fly Past' August 2002 The book provides a fascinating (readably technical) outline of the electronic and radio countermeasures designed to jam or confuse the German air defence radar [in World War Two]...The strength of this new book is its ability to bring home to readers, whether or not they personally experienced WWII, vivid, if often light-hearted, memories of the daily lives and nightly perils facing these young flyers. Their dangerous flights, often in weather conditions when 'even the sparrows are walking', enabled many more of the main bomber crews to return to their bases and live, at least, to fly again. A book that is not only interesting but deserves to be read. Pat Hawker., 'RADCOM, Magazine of the Radio Society of Great Britain' August 2002 'Beam Benders, 80 (Signals) Wing, RAF 1940-1945' by Laurie Brettingham was reviewed back in the Autumn edition of 'QRV' in 1998 and proved popular with RAFARS members. His latest offering has just been published and covers the history of one of the RAF's most secretive units - No.100 (Bomber Support) Group... As with his previous book he explains the technical aspects of Radio Countermeasures (RCM) in an easy-to-follow manner using suitable illustrations and photographs. Starting off with the introduction of radar, the work of the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE), and early airborne countermeasures, he progresses on to the formation and tasks carried out by No.100 Group (JOSTLE, PIPERACK, WINDOW, MANDREL and SERRATE to name a few). Each of the Group's sub-units are covered (airfields, aircraft, and equipment) using personal recollections from some of the airmen and airwomen who took on, and defeated, the Luftwaffe using RCM...As befits the RAF College, the Library at Cranwell has an extensive collection of aviation books. Whilst the development and use of radar, Bomber Command and TRE are well represented, No.100 Group usually only get a fleeting mention. This book will therefore fill a missing gap on the shelves. Duncan Peters, 'QRV' (the Magazine of the RAF Amateur Radio Society), Summer 2002. No. 80 Wing was part of No.100 Group...This new book is based on extensive research and personal recollections provided by many of those actively engaged in the operations...It follows a similar pattern to 'Beam Benders' - the facts come from the people who were actually involved, not from third parties who have read about it...There is also the human interest - the feelings of the aircrews who risked, and all too often, lost their lives in carrying out their duties and the resultant exhuberance when they successfully carried out risky operations... This is a book that should be essential reading for all of us. It describes the rest of the wheel of which we were a small cog. Ray Russell, 'Eighty Net' (the Newsletter of No.80 Wing Veterans), No.7, Spring 2002. |
| Click below for more information on Laurie Brettingham and his books; |
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