It was interesting, absorbing and, in parts, amusing to go back 50 plus years and relive
those days when service and inter-service life was accepted by us all as the norm. I am
sure we can all recall, provided our memories have not let us down with advancing
years, similar experiences of wartime happenings but the ability to express them in
writing with such depth of feeling is a privilege few of us possess.
Amongst the many anecdotes, including both the tragic and the humorous, are some
that I know I shall discuss with friends of similar vintage when we are recalling those
far off days.
This fascinating book also confirmed to me, as an ex-airman, a fact which I had long
felt in my heart to be true. It is that of all the operational Commands, Coastal, in general
terms, received less acclamation than it deserved for its many and varied operational
roles. It is easy to sit back and think of it purely in terms of maritime reconnaissance but
there was a lot more to it than that. Another fact that emerged throughout the book and
one which I personally endorse was the oft related experiences of inter-service co-operation
and understanding. It is often propounded that the services generally were critical and
non-supportive of each other. This is certainly not borne out by the author's many
interesting, enlightening and, in parts, amusing stories.
Altogether I found Ron Brown's reminiscences of his Coastal Command days
thoroughly enjoyable reading and my only regret is that the book was not longer.
Ron Brown later served in Northern Rhodesia - Education Department - 1948-1964.
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