Strike to Defend. A book about some of the men who served in R. A. F. Bomber Command during World War II.
1963 · London
by Squadron Leader Walker, Nigel F., D. S. O., D. F. C.
London: Neville Spearman, (1963). Octavo, navy blue boards (hardcover), 128 pp. Boards slightly warped; otherwise, Near-Fine, with neat former-owner bookplate; in a Very Good+, mylar protected dust jacket with lightly rubbed edges. From dust jacket: This is a true account of a series of colourful incidents in the life of a most modest and brave man. Although a great deal of the book is devoted to descriptions of episodes which took place in RAF Bomber Command, it also includes such widely varying subjects as the description of an investiture at Buckingham Palace to the excitement of a long-distance reliability motor trial. The title has been chosen because it represents the motto of the famous No. 83 Pathfinder Squadron in which the author completed his extended tour of night bomber sorites in 1942, taking part in no less than sixty-six bombing raids over Occupied Europe. An unusual feature of Strike to Defend is the fact that the author describes scenes observed from the navigator’s table and from the perspex nose of the bomber. From these positions he was able to observe many dramatic incidents which took place both inside and outside the aircraft. Strike to Defend will appeal not only to those who served in the RAF, but also to anyone who is interested in the technicalities of flying, air navigation and motor sport. (Inventory #: 335426gl)