Typhoon Attack: The Legendary British Fighter in Combat in World War II (Stackpole Military History Series) by Norman Franks

by Norman L.R. Franks

The Hawker Typhoon, or 'Tiffy', as it was affectionately known, was not an easy aircraft to fly As fighter ace Desmond Scott described "Whereas the Spitfire always behaved like a well-mannered thoroughbred on first acquaintance, the Typhoon always reminded me of a low-bred carthorse whose pedigree had received a sharp infusion of hot-headed sprinter's blood." Norman Franks has talked to the men who piloted this powerful seven-ton rocket-firing fighter in World War 11, and from his interviews has emerged a very personal, often colourful and dramatic, view of what it was really like to fly over Holland or France at low level, seeking out hostile aircraft or targets on the ground; to roll over at 12,000 feet, then upside down, roar down into an inferno of flak to dive bomb an enemy position; to attack trains, ships, flak posts, tanks; to fire lethal 60-Ib high explosive rockets into enemy trucks, radar or V1 sites; and also to undergo the mind-numbing experience of crash-landing a shot-up Tiffy. It is a lively, action-packed story of conflict in the air. By 1944, with the Typhoon now legendary and firmly established within the ranks of the Second Tactical Air Force, and playing a pivotal role in the victory in the air and on the ground, the author follows the fortunes of the pilots and ground crews in the heated battles over the Normandy beach-head, the break-out into France, the triumph at Falaise, operations from Holland, in the Ardennes and finally into Germany itself.

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Norman Leslie Robert Franks was an English militaria writer who specialised in aviation topics. He focused on the pilots and squadrons of World Wars I and II.

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book- it's an oral history of the RAF Squadrons, Wings and Personnel that flew the Hawker Typhoon- Britain's preeminent Single Seat Ground Attack Fighter Bomber for the Late War period. As with so many fighter aircraft from the Fokker Eindeker to today's F-35, they sort of built this Hurricane Successor type around an immensely powerful Napier Sabre Engine- but one that would continue to have reliability issues until the very last Marks were replaced with the Tempest in late 1945. The plane was a great beast of a gun platform- the best most of these pilots some of whom had flown Spitfires, Hurricanes, P-40s, and Beaufighters- good types all. But armed with Cannon, Rockets and various sizes of Bombs-these pilots and groundstaff just can't stop remarking about the destructive power they commanded- if only the damn things would keep flying and not drop like stones with engine failures.They get almost all the gremlins fixed by 1945, but it's a depressing background theme for half the book.

My mother met a few of these pilots- she was at College at Cambridge in this era-And I think I have met one at a Tea in London in the early 70s. In these books, so reliant on memoir and interview, the Charming humour of these fellows just jumps off the page- especially when you consider that for every few flawless missions that see them low- level flying, low level bombing, rising and dive bombing, destroying shipping in the Zuider Zee, destroying Panzers at Falaise, or trashing trains all over Europe- there are a tales of pilots just going down randomly like stones with Engine Failure. Maybe I focused on it too much- but it does seem to be a recurring background theme. But all those missions that don't feature mishaps- are really compelling content, I can assure- and they do win the war just as they fix all the issues- so this is uplifting.

There are a few adult themes, and some graphic casualty accounts that make this best for the Junior reader over 13, but they will be rewarded with a ripping yarn. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast, this is a real juicy morsel. Lots of Missions and mission styles for the Gamer, lots of great diorama ideas for the Modeller and a ton of great detail for the Enthusiast. I've read a lot of RAF memoirs/oral histories, and this is one of the good ones. A good choice.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a very personal attachment to this book. My grandfather FO C.Abbott is featured in this book. He volunteered for the RCAF in 1940 in Alberta Canada before going to England, he belonged to the 198 Squadron. He made it through the War, moved to Victoria becoming a teacher he passed away in 1992. He never spoke much about his experience, most of what I know came from my dad. This book belonged to him and it's pretty special in that he left handwritten notes in the margin. Including flights he was on or "shows" as they called their missions.
I highly recommend this book its incrediably well researched. It's nice to see books featuring more Canadians not just Americans

[G Himaras · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true journey with the Tiffy crews of the 2nd TAF! No commentary or philosophical discussions or after action critiques. Just the memories of some of those incredible, brave men who went up destroy the enemy, day after day. They flew the most dangerous air missions of the war, with so many of them never to return, but forever in the memories of their mates.

[JAMES E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real War

This is one of the best books ever on tactical air power in WW2. Down and dirty action, with bombs rockets and cannon fire.

[John Mchale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of events and reports from the pilot's.

[Jesper Jorgensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like books like this, books with personal accounts. Which this book is all about. The author relates little contributions from many Typhoon pilots, the contributions fitting in with the subjects of the chapters. Like 'Tactics and flak', 'Into Normandy' and so on. The personal accounts put a face and name on history. And reminds me that in all the fighting there was real human beings who lived to tell their story, or died. ('Surviving was 10% skill and 90% luck' one pilot put it)

This book is not about the 'tech-stuff' of the Typhoon. But more like an operational history of it. Told by the men who flew it from the D-Day preparations to VE-Day. And despite the teething problems of it, they liked the Typhoon/Bomphoon/Rockphoon. A big and stable weapons platform. Rugged and solid.

What always strikes me, when reading many of the accounts of WWII servicemen, is the low-key matter-of-factly tone they are kept in.

Bottom line is that I like the book