A Pathfinder in the Peenemunde Raid

50 Operations over Nazi Occupied Territory

Arthur Spencer

• Publisher: Pen and Sword Aviation
• Year: 2024
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781399079884
• Subtopic: Military Biographies
• Index: History

Arthur volunteered for aircrew service with the RAF in 1940 at the age of 19, as soon as his school examinations were completed. He trained as a navigator in Canada and Florida. After further training in the UK and crewing up with a pilot and other crew members, he joined 97 Squadron, flying Lancasters in December 1942. The following April the crew transferred to Pathfinder Force, where their operations included the shuttle-service attack on Friedrichshafen and the attack against Peenemünde. In September, having completed two tours, he was posted to the Mediterranean theater, initially in Libya and later in Italy. He flew five further operations, three in Halifaxes and two in Wellingtons, the latter in support of the Yugoslav resistance. In December 1944 he returned to the UK and joined Transport Command before being seconded to BOAC. Arthur's direct and detailed account of his experiences is a fascinating and valuable document of an astonishing feat to be exposed to such danger and to survive to tell the tale.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Book Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 To begin at the beginning: 1921–1940
• Chapter 2 The Royal Air Force: Early days 1940–1941
• Chapter 3 The New World: June 1941–May 1942
• Chapter 4 Training Continues: June 1942–December 1942
• Chapter 5 Bomber Command Main Force: December 1942–April 1943
• Chapter 6 Bomber Command Pathfinder Force: April 1943–September 1943
• Chapter 7 Friedrichshafen-Operation Bellicose: 20 June 1943
• Chapter 8 The Battle of Hamburg-Operation Gomorrah:August 1943
• Plates Section
• Chapter 9 Peenemünde-Operation Hydra: 17 August 1943
• Chapter 10 Berlin – End of Tour: August–September 1943
• Chapter 11 The Mediterranean Theatre Part 1: December 1943–July 1944
• Chapter 12 Valence la Trésorie: 24 July 1944
• Chapter 13 The Mediterranean Theatre Part 2: July 1944–December 1944
• Chapter 14 Transport Command: January 1945–December 1945
• Chapter 15 BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation): December 1945–January 1947
• Conclusion
• Addendum
• Epilogue: Two different points of view
• Bibliography
• Back Cover