
- 320 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
"A fascinating biography of one of the most important figures in Bomber Command during the Second World War." —History of War Ralph Cochrane was born in 1895 into a distinguished naval family. After joining the Royal Navy, he volunteered in 1915 to serve with the RNAS in airships and was an early winner of the Air Force Cross. In 1918 he transferred to the fledgling RAF and learned to fly, serving in Iraq as a flight commander under "Bomber" Harris. His inter-war career saw him as a squadron commander in Aden before he became the first Chief of Air Staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. During the Second World War he served mainly in Bomber Command and commanded 5 Group from early 1943. He formed 617 Squadron and was instrumental in planning the legendary Dambuster Raid, the most spectacular of the War, as well as the sinking of the battleship Tirpitz. An inspirational leader, he trained 5 Group in low level target marking skills. Post war, Cochrane held a string of senior appointments commanding Transport Command, Flying Training Command and finally as Vice Chief of Air Staff, retiring in 1952. He died in 1977. "A brilliantly researched biography of a fascinating fighter... adds a new name to rank alongside Great Britain's most heroic warriors." — Argunners "The Dambusters is one of my absolute favourite stories from WWII... and this bio of Cochrane tells the story of an extraordinary man. Brilliant." —Books Monthly
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Table of contents
- Introduction
- Prologue
- Chapter 1 The Cochranes of Dundonald
- Chapter 2 From Fife to Scapa
- Chapter 3 Lighter than Air
- Chapter 4 beavier than Air
- Chapter 5 Moving Up
- Chapter 6 Squadron Commander
- Chapter 7 Staff Officer
- Chapter 8 New Zealand
- Chapter 9 Training
- Chapter 10 3 Group
- Chapter 11 5 Group
- Chapter 12 UPKEEP
- Chapter 13 617 Squadron
- Chapter 14 Operation CHASTISE
- Chapter 15 Time and Distance
- Chapter 16 Cheshire
- Chapter 17 The Big City
- Chapter 18 The Independent Air Force
- Chapter 19 Germany and the Tirpitz
- Chapter 20 Transport Command
- Chapter 21 The Air Council
- Chapter 22 Into Industry
- Chapter 23 Family Business
- Chapter 24 Reflections
- Abbreviations
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
- Sources and Bibliography
- Plate Section