First published in 1944, Guy Gibson's Enemy Coast Ahead quickly became regarded as the classic Bomber Command book, following Gibson's RAF career from flying the Hampden and Manchester at the beginning of WWII to the triumphant return home of the Lancasters from the famous 1943 Dambuster raid which Gibson led and for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Enemy Coast Ahead is also the inside story of life in Bomber Command throughout the first five years of WW2, culminating in breath-holding drama as the RAF planned, practiced and strove towards breaching the dams on that famous night in May 1943.
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`I dedicate this book to the boys who have not been so lucky...'
If this book doesn't stir the senses and inspire patriotism, nothing will, being Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC's own personal account of his wartime flying, including the attack on the Ruhr dams which earned him the Victoria Cross...
`The smell of burnt cordite. The cold sweat beneath my oxygen mask. The closeness of the dam wall... We saw the tremendous earthquake which shook the base of the dam, and then, as if a gigantic hand had punched a hole through cardboard, the whole thing collapsed.'
--Best of British Magazine - December 2011
If this book doesn't stir the senses and inspire patriotism, nothing will, being Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC's own personal account of his wartime flying, including the attack on the Ruhr dams which earned him the Victoria Cross...
`The smell of burnt cordite. The cold sweat beneath my oxygen mask. The closeness of the dam wall... We saw the tremendous earthquake which shook the base of the dam, and then, as if a gigantic hand had punched a hole through cardboard, the whole thing collapsed.'
--Best of British Magazine - December 2011
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THE moon was full; everywhere its pleasant, watery haze spread over the peaceful English countryside, rendering it colourless. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
THE moon was full; everywhere its pleasant, watery haze spread over the peaceful English countryside, rendering it colourless. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By David Austin
Format:Paperback
As an avid reader of first hand combat accounts I have to place this book at the very top of the pile. Gibson's book is simply stunning.
The immense power of this book lies in the story of unbelievable courage shown by the men of bomber command. Gibson takes us through the early days of the war, the tragic waste of the skilled aircrews thrown away in obsolete planes and flawed tactics, the tremendous spirit shown by these young men in the face of almost inevitable death and the deep sadness of seeing their comrades lost with such regularity.
After defying the odds and completing one tour of duty, Gibson transfers to night fighters rather than resting, before going back for another tour on 'heavies' and eventually forming and leading the elite 617 squadron on the famous Dams raid.
Yes it is jingoistic, yes it is bullish, what else could it be from a warrior and leader of this nature? Indeed, it is these traits that give us great insight into the prevailing feelings and attitudes of the men involved that make first hand accounts so valuable in our assessment of history. We should be thankful that this document encapsulating the spirit of the aircrew was written by one of their greatest leaders before he too gave his life to the cause.
Technical details are necessarily censored from a book written at the height of the hostilities but this in no way detracts. Those interested can easily fill in the blanks through reading books such as Max Hastings' 'Bomber Command' or Paul Brickhill's 'Dam Busters'.
After reading this book maybe a dozen times over the last 35 years, I recommend it unreservedly to all.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The book, although written in 1944 and therefore a bit bullish, nonetheless gives a sobering account of bomber command from the first day of the war - when the pilots didn't even know if the planes would get off the ground with a full bomb load - to the Dambusters raid.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I think Gibson gives a very interesting view of what it was like to be a pilot in bomber command. He is best known as the leader of operation chastise: the dambusters. Although the content is clearly edited and censored for sensitive material and secret weapons (radar) I found it a gripping tale and the jargon and WWII expressions add to the atmosphere of the book. The memory of these brave men is well served by this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enemy Coast Ahead
Bought as a Christmas present for my husband. He enjoyed it and found it thought provoking and a good read. He would recommend it.
Published 4 months ago by Matron38
2.0 out of 5 stars
Enemy Coast Ahead - Guy Gibson
I first read this book in the 60's and always considered it to be one of the best to come out of world-war 2. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2010 by D. Lieberman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enemy Coast Ahead - ending with the Dambusters
An interesting account of life as a Bomber pilot in World War Two. It helped me understand more about the difficulties and the heavy losses suffered by the crews of Lancasters. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by A. Bayliss
5.0 out of 5 stars
untarnished truth
This is one of the most important books about the Second World War because it was written during the war and so is not a sanitised version written with hindsight, and attempts to... Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2009 by C. Higginson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Personal Review
Everything was perfect.
I received the book in time. The quality is very good.
Thank you.
I received the book in time. The quality is very good.
Thank you.
Published on 7 Nov 2009 by Jens-holger Gruetzner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Guy Gibson is my Great Uncle - so this book is special
I think the title of this review says it all. Guy Gibson is my great uncle, on my mother's side of the family. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2005 by "natasha_claire"
5.0 out of 5 stars
In spite of cencorship due to war time it is very good.
I read this book years ago,possibly when I was still at school. I thouroughly enjoyed it then and want to read it again. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2000 by bellj01@aol.co.uk
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