Des Curtis was one of the founder members of 618 Squadron. Formed within days of the illustrious 617, 618's primary objective was to mount a daylight low-level attack by Mosquitos on the German battleship Tirpitz within hours of the attack on the Ruhr dams. The operation, codenamed Operation Servant, was given top security classification, to the point where the subject was excluded from the minutes of the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff of the air and naval forces. The author reveals the dilemmas and conflicting priorities existing to the highest levels, setting out in detail the technicalities of developing the 'bouncing bomb'. He also writes first hand about the tactical problems of getting to and from the target; and the tensions and strains endured by the Mosquito crews themselves, as they took the war to the German U-Boats within the sight and safety of their bases.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An excellent book showing the Highball story from 618 squadron's persepctive, with the added bonus of what they did when their original mission was called off.
To get the most from this book I would recommend reading "A hell of a bomb" on the bomb developments of Barnes Wallis which looks at the Highball bomb development in more detail (although lacks insight into some of the technical difficulties Highball encountered which are recounted here) and Guy Gibson's "Enemy Coast Ahead" which not only contrasts 617 squadrons successful technical, planning and execution of their mission with the anti-climaxes 618 encountered, but also highlights what 618 were lined up for when Gibson says that his reaction to finding that their targets were dams was "thank God it's not the Tirpitz" (which 617 squadron later went on to "sink").
To get the most from this book I would recommend reading "A hell of a bomb" on the bomb developments of Barnes Wallis which looks at the Highball bomb development in more detail (although lacks insight into some of the technical difficulties Highball encountered which are recounted here) and Guy Gibson's "Enemy Coast Ahead" which not only contrasts 617 squadrons successful technical, planning and execution of their mission with the anti-climaxes 618 encountered, but also highlights what 618 were lined up for when Gibson says that his reaction to finding that their targets were dams was "thank God it's not the Tirpitz" (which 617 squadron later went on to "sink").
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Groovy
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this for my father who was a member of 618 squadron from it's inception. I read it first to see what he did. My father says it's accurate as far has he remembers and tells the story of the squadron accurately and interestingly.
By M. Steedman
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
We all know the story of 617 Squadron "The Dambusters". This is the story of 618 squadron set up alongside, set up at the same time to attack the Tirpitz with Highball, a smaller version of the bomb used by the Dambusters.
For various reasons that attack was never made, and the squadron then practiced operating Mosquitos of aircraft carriers with a view to attacking Japanese warships. It was then sent to Australia, where the squadron was disbanded.
Because this was a top secret squadron it also brought the 6pdr armed Mosquitos into service.
The story of this squadron is a classic example of a weapon system which it is decided is to top secret to use. A classic study in bungling officials.
For various reasons that attack was never made, and the squadron then practiced operating Mosquitos of aircraft carriers with a view to attacking Japanese warships. It was then sent to Australia, where the squadron was disbanded.
Because this was a top secret squadron it also brought the 6pdr armed Mosquitos into service.
The story of this squadron is a classic example of a weapon system which it is decided is to top secret to use. A classic study in bungling officials.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I knew a lot about 617 Sq. but not very much about 618, other than they were to use the "Hiball" bouncing bomb.
It made for very interesting reading, would reccomend this book to anyone interested in mossies and their use in WWll.
It made for very interesting reading, would reccomend this book to anyone interested in mossies and their use in WWll.
By John Jarman
Format:Hardcover
This is an amazing story in which the author sets out the story of 618 Squadron RAF from its formation to the end of the war in Europe including a short but fruitless spell in the far east and Australia.
Originally formed to carry a previously untried 'bomb' at the same time as its more well known sister Squadron, 617 Squadron RAF of Dam Buster fame.
The idea was to drop or rather skim, a bouncing bomb over the torpedo net defences of the Tirpitz, a pocket battle ship of the Kriegsmarine hidden away in northern Norway where it was employed harassing the artic convoys.
The story is told extremely well by one of the founder members of the squadron. There are many anecdotes of the life of the crews who were kept somewhat in the dark as to their probable fate by the planners of the original mission coupled with the fact that could not share any misgivings with anyone outside the small 'need to know' circle. After much training and waiting for the right time the planned attack was abandoned since there was no viable escape for the crews once the mission had been completed available.
After the return from the Far East, a special detachment from the squadron was formed as part of Coastal Command and given the job of patrolling the Bay of Biscay in order to deny the Atlantic ports to the U-Boat flotillas of the Kriegsmarine. Fitted with a single 57mm cannon and going under the name 'Tsetse' these aircraft succesfully made life extremely difficult for the U-Boats returning from their Atlantic patrols
The book ends on a happier note for all concerned. It is well written informative and easy to follow with sufficient detail to keep even the most 'nit picky' historian happy added to which U-976, which lies in 50m of water of the coast of Noirmoutier.... Read more ›
Originally formed to carry a previously untried 'bomb' at the same time as its more well known sister Squadron, 617 Squadron RAF of Dam Buster fame.
The idea was to drop or rather skim, a bouncing bomb over the torpedo net defences of the Tirpitz, a pocket battle ship of the Kriegsmarine hidden away in northern Norway where it was employed harassing the artic convoys.
The story is told extremely well by one of the founder members of the squadron. There are many anecdotes of the life of the crews who were kept somewhat in the dark as to their probable fate by the planners of the original mission coupled with the fact that could not share any misgivings with anyone outside the small 'need to know' circle. After much training and waiting for the right time the planned attack was abandoned since there was no viable escape for the crews once the mission had been completed available.
After the return from the Far East, a special detachment from the squadron was formed as part of Coastal Command and given the job of patrolling the Bay of Biscay in order to deny the Atlantic ports to the U-Boat flotillas of the Kriegsmarine. Fitted with a single 57mm cannon and going under the name 'Tsetse' these aircraft succesfully made life extremely difficult for the U-Boats returning from their Atlantic patrols
The book ends on a happier note for all concerned. It is well written informative and easy to follow with sufficient detail to keep even the most 'nit picky' historian happy added to which U-976, which lies in 50m of water of the coast of Noirmoutier.... Read more ›
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Mommut
Format:Hardcover
You can't do much better than first-hand information, and that's what you get here. Individual aircraft serial numbers are frequently quoted, so you know which aircraft are involved in many of the incidents described. A first-rate publication that should serve as a model for others
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Ken O'Neill
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well, in terms of writing and reference value (given details like serials and/or codes appearing so often) I would have given this a 4* rating, but, and it's a big but, there are some glaring research and relevance errors.
For instance, it manages to say that geodesic airframes were first developed for the Vickers Wellesley (ok, that was their first use in a heavier than air machine) rather than for the R100 airship. Neither of these points seem relevant to any of the squadron, the Highball mine, the Mosquito airframe (basically a wooden monocoque) or the XVIII "Tse-Tse" 6lb gun.
Similarly, the author manages to describe Skye as "WNW of the airfield (in Caithness)", and the book includes a map showing clearly that Skye is more or less SW from Caithness!
This sort of glaring research error is a pet peave, but to end on a positive, the book is well written.
For instance, it manages to say that geodesic airframes were first developed for the Vickers Wellesley (ok, that was their first use in a heavier than air machine) rather than for the R100 airship. Neither of these points seem relevant to any of the squadron, the Highball mine, the Mosquito airframe (basically a wooden monocoque) or the XVIII "Tse-Tse" 6lb gun.
Similarly, the author manages to describe Skye as "WNW of the airfield (in Caithness)", and the book includes a map showing clearly that Skye is more or less SW from Caithness!
This sort of glaring research error is a pet peave, but to end on a positive, the book is well written.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By catjarmen
Format:Hardcover
I saw this book when I was looking for something else on Amazon,
I though it would make a good present for a fried, a pilot, But don`t think he will through his 747 around like the chaps did in 618 flight ? Well hope not .
It`s rather odd that I got this, At the time I was looking for Mosquito repellent wrist bands ! Don`t think they would repel one of these ?
Or maybe they do, Have you seen many Mosquito Squadrons flying these days ?
I should say here I ordered this book and it arrived in a few days,! You could say it flew hear ?, Perhaps it might not have if it know I had Mosquito repellent ?
I though it would make a good present for a fried, a pilot, But don`t think he will through his 747 around like the chaps did in 618 flight ? Well hope not .
It`s rather odd that I got this, At the time I was looking for Mosquito repellent wrist bands ! Don`t think they would repel one of these ?
Or maybe they do, Have you seen many Mosquito Squadrons flying these days ?
I should say here I ordered this book and it arrived in a few days,! You could say it flew hear ?, Perhaps it might not have if it know I had Mosquito repellent ?
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