Pen and Sword Books: Main Force to Mosquito Master Bomber

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Main Force to Mosquito Master Bomber (Hardback)

The Story of Wing Commander Eric Benjamin DFC & Bar

Aviation > WWII WWII > Biography & Memoirs

Imprint: Fighting High Publishing
Pages: 192
Illustrations: approx 45 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781838068745
Published: 13th May 2024

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Description
Reviews (1)

Wing Commander Eric Benjamin was no stranger to danger or excitement. In an action-packed career as part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR), he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice for his bravery under fire. He flew Fairey Battles with No. 150 Squadron during the Battle of France, Main Force Avro Lancasters with No. 61 Squadron during the Battle of Berlin, and De Havilland Mosquitoes as an elite Pathfinder Master Bomber in the latter stages of the war. He survived being shot down on his first operation, when his air gunner was severely wounded, and was among the last RAF aircrew to be evacuated from France in the summer of 1940. He was pulled clear of the mangled wreckage of a Vickers Wellington that crashed in flames during a spell as an instructor, narrowly escaping with his life for a second time, and ‘starred’ as a Flight Commander interviewed for Pathé News after a successful raid on Berlin in 1943. Towards the end of 1944, he achieved his ambition of flying Mosquitoes, and was selected and trained as a Master Bomber, operating as part of No. 54 Base in No. 5 Group and helping to mop up what was left of German industry and military might. It was from one of these sorties that his aircraft failed to return.

Authored by Sean Feast and Eric’s daughter Jeannie, the book includes numerous previously unpublished photographs of Eric, his colleagues, and the aircraft he flew. An inveterate letter writer, Eric once said of flying that there was ‘no greater sport’. He died as he had lived, doing what he loved best.

Introducing the authors.
Jeannie is Eric's oldest daughter & also a published author.
Sean Feast is a Bomber Command historian & writer of several books including his excellent 'Pathfinders The Definitive History', which I highly recommend.

This book is approximately 130 pages, but it packs an enormous amount in.
Whilst I generally attempt to not give too much away in my reviews, readers of the book will instantly learn that Eric was tragically killed when his Mosquito crashed in February 1945, close to Colditz Castle.

This book is the work of both author's research into Eric's RAF service & also provides that of his squadrons, giving the reader a broader picture of what was happening within Bomber Command at that time.
Throughout the chapters there are quotes from the many letters that Eric sent to his wife, Betty. These letters were discovered following the tragic death of Betty in a car crash in 1991, by their daughter.

It is a particular moving book to read when you already know what is going to happen. Eric & Betty's love for each other shines throughout, as does his joy at becoming a new father to two daughters.

His RAF career is really interesting. Following his training he is immediately posted out to France, flying Fairey Battles. On his very first operation his aircraft was a victim to a German Bf109. Badly damaged & with an injured rear gunner, Eric is forced to land in a French field.
Eventually Eric would move onto Lancasters, followed then by Mosquitos as a Pathfinder.

Sadly just months from the war ending, he was killed. His final letter to Betty arrived several days later.
This part of the book covers Betty's grief & Jeannie's subsequent Afterword is really quite moving. We don't always learn what the families went through after those dreaded Telegrams arrived.

This is a book that I'm sure will stay with you. It is another high quality book from the publishers, Fighting High.
If you have an interest in Bomber Command and aircrew biographies then please do consider adding this to your list.
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