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Tornado Down
RAF Flight lieutenants John Peters and John Nichol were shot down over enemy territory on their first airbourne mission of the Gulf War. Their capture in the desert, half a mile from their blazing Tornado bomber, began a nightmare seven-week ordeal of torture and interrogation which brought both men close to death. In Tornado Down, John Peters and John Nichol tell the incredible story of their part in the war against Saddam Hussien's regime. It is a brave and shocking and totally honest a story about war and its effects on the hearts and minds of men.
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First published September 10, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 27, 2012
In 1991 John Peters and John Nichol were pilot and navigator on a mission over Iraq. They were shot down and this is their story.
I wouldn't normally be very attracted to a book about fast jets but this is a story of human frailty, endurance and the will to survive. And what really endeared me to this book was the honesty. As air crew in a Tornado these guys were at the top of their game, very skilled and confident. But having ejected from their little world of technology they find themselves alone, in enemy territory and very soon they are captured. What follows is a very personal account of their encounter with the brutality of war.
I loved the humour that peppered the story, it never seemed forced, just there as it sometimes in in even the most dire moments. There is a description of the men's pathetic attempt to hide their presence in the desert after they have ejected. I think it's John Nichol who describes how they left a trail with their parachutes that seemed to be saying 'enemy officers - this way!'
There is also a very telling moment much later when both men have gone through interrogation and are in prison . John Peters hears a cry ring out and realises the guards are coming for John Nichol for some misdemeanour. John Peters says he felt for his friend but his overiding feeling was that he was relieved they were not coming for him. These prisoners were not gung-ho film stars but people living in fear of their lives.
The story is told from both men's viewpoint and from Peters' wife who talks about what it was like to be at home waiting and not knowing.
A story that has stayed with me for a long time.
I wouldn't normally be very attracted to a book about fast jets but this is a story of human frailty, endurance and the will to survive. And what really endeared me to this book was the honesty. As air crew in a Tornado these guys were at the top of their game, very skilled and confident. But having ejected from their little world of technology they find themselves alone, in enemy territory and very soon they are captured. What follows is a very personal account of their encounter with the brutality of war.
I loved the humour that peppered the story, it never seemed forced, just there as it sometimes in in even the most dire moments. There is a description of the men's pathetic attempt to hide their presence in the desert after they have ejected. I think it's John Nichol who describes how they left a trail with their parachutes that seemed to be saying 'enemy officers - this way!'
There is also a very telling moment much later when both men have gone through interrogation and are in prison . John Peters hears a cry ring out and realises the guards are coming for John Nichol for some misdemeanour. John Peters says he felt for his friend but his overiding feeling was that he was relieved they were not coming for him. These prisoners were not gung-ho film stars but people living in fear of their lives.
The story is told from both men's viewpoint and from Peters' wife who talks about what it was like to be at home waiting and not knowing.
A story that has stayed with me for a long time.
August 30, 2025
I had read this book many years ago and decided to read it again. It was hard to put down.
Some of the details came back while reading, but overall it took hold of me again and I really liked it.
We get to read the preparations for going to war in the Gulf as seen by both men. They each bring their own story, yet the book binds them really together. And that is how it should be as a team flying the Tornado. The contribution by Helen Peters places all into perspective. Her view from the sideline and homefront shows what many people must have gone through over the years, and in fact, still are going through right now. Her frankness adds to the overall story too. As always, I love the English (RAF) humor and had to laugh many times because of the way they described what happened to them. Obviously a lot of the pages of the book are not so funny. They, again, show what people are capable of inflicting hurt and misery on others. Both John's do a great job describing how they felt, mentally and physically during their captivity.
Also their evacuation afterwards and the way back home makes for impressive and, again, at times funny reading. The press should learn lessons from the way these two guys, and Helen, describe what it is like on the other side of the microphone or lens. Take note!
One very impressive part was about a prisoner named Salik. It is not clear how and why he ended up in prison but his defiance, despite all that was done to him, is something that shows how deep people can go and still resist.
Great book, absolutely worth reading!
Some of the details came back while reading, but overall it took hold of me again and I really liked it.
We get to read the preparations for going to war in the Gulf as seen by both men. They each bring their own story, yet the book binds them really together. And that is how it should be as a team flying the Tornado. The contribution by Helen Peters places all into perspective. Her view from the sideline and homefront shows what many people must have gone through over the years, and in fact, still are going through right now. Her frankness adds to the overall story too. As always, I love the English (RAF) humor and had to laugh many times because of the way they described what happened to them. Obviously a lot of the pages of the book are not so funny. They, again, show what people are capable of inflicting hurt and misery on others. Both John's do a great job describing how they felt, mentally and physically during their captivity.
Also their evacuation afterwards and the way back home makes for impressive and, again, at times funny reading. The press should learn lessons from the way these two guys, and Helen, describe what it is like on the other side of the microphone or lens. Take note!
One very impressive part was about a prisoner named Salik. It is not clear how and why he ended up in prison but his defiance, despite all that was done to him, is something that shows how deep people can go and still resist.
Great book, absolutely worth reading!
March 19, 2022
A very human story and tremendous resilience. Recommended read.
January 14, 2025
A harrowing book that details the darkness of war from the pov of two RAF downed pow. It gives a distinctly British insight into a truly unthinkable ordeal.
December 20, 2021
There are few if any words to describe the heroism of people like these two British pilots whom put their lives at risk fighting a war they had no control over. The first Gulf War was thankfully over relatively quickly but these men spent the 7 weeks duration as Prisoners of War being beaten almost daily and being moved from one underground prison to another.
Their courage and strength is remarkable and the way they managed to get back into normal life afterwards astounds me.
These are the type of people that make me proud to be British
Their courage and strength is remarkable and the way they managed to get back into normal life afterwards astounds me.
These are the type of people that make me proud to be British
April 13, 2021
The invasion of Iraq in August 1990 precipitated the first Gulf War, which started in January 1991, and almost immediately an RAF Tornado crew are shot down and captured whilst flying their first combat mission of the war. Flight lieutenants John Peters and John Nichol endured seven weeks of what can only be described as the ultimate nightmare - something most of us cannot even conceive let alone imagine. This tells their story.
First off, I was really impressed. I was slightly worried after a few pages as the switching between the writing of the two protagonists was a bit jarring, but you soon get used to it. Like other stories of this ilk, I expected a bit of exposition on how the pair got where they were, but there was very little of that, except to introduce the war itself. Before you know it, Peters and Nichol are flying over an Iraqi airfield, and moments later are racing away from their burning Tornado in the Iraqi desert, but they are quickly captured and taken to prison.
The story is incredibly honest, and they share their fears and hopes throughout. They explain their self-loathing when they talk. When one finally cracks, he beats himself up, only to feel even worse when the other says he had not talked. They are moved between prisons run by Baath party fanatics, and those run by the army. They endure an air raid that all but destroys the prison they are in and meet with American and other pilots who have also been captured. There is harrowing moments, such as when another man's screams become a source of irritation, even hatred and when an American pilot lose his fillings.
Overall this is an excellent, if sometimes tough read, and I thoroughly recommend it.
First off, I was really impressed. I was slightly worried after a few pages as the switching between the writing of the two protagonists was a bit jarring, but you soon get used to it. Like other stories of this ilk, I expected a bit of exposition on how the pair got where they were, but there was very little of that, except to introduce the war itself. Before you know it, Peters and Nichol are flying over an Iraqi airfield, and moments later are racing away from their burning Tornado in the Iraqi desert, but they are quickly captured and taken to prison.
The story is incredibly honest, and they share their fears and hopes throughout. They explain their self-loathing when they talk. When one finally cracks, he beats himself up, only to feel even worse when the other says he had not talked. They are moved between prisons run by Baath party fanatics, and those run by the army. They endure an air raid that all but destroys the prison they are in and meet with American and other pilots who have also been captured. There is harrowing moments, such as when another man's screams become a source of irritation, even hatred and when an American pilot lose his fillings.
Overall this is an excellent, if sometimes tough read, and I thoroughly recommend it.
April 7, 2020
Having first read this as a hardback more years ago than I care to remember it brought all the outrage we felt as we were preparing for the ground offensive to begin , I well remember the anger my fellow soldiers and I felt on seeing the pictures of John Nichols and more so of John Peter's brutalized yet still incredibly proud. I still suffer from flashbacks and nightmares so can empathize with both John's, an excellent story of courage and brutality.
February 15, 2024
The capture of two British pilots in the first Gulf War was a memory that imprinted itself to my psyche as a boy. Reading their ordeal and the brutal horror of their experience has added a new dimension to their story and is one I’ll likely never forget. Their courage in the face of adversity both at the time and their long term reconciliation of what has happened is a true story of human endeavour and a credit to the two men’s resolve and that of their families.
March 10, 2019
An interesting story
The book was well written with segments from both pilot and navigator and the wife left behind
This was a book I had wanted to read for a long time and it was well worth the wait
The book was well written with segments from both pilot and navigator and the wife left behind
This was a book I had wanted to read for a long time and it was well worth the wait
July 12, 2019
Triffic book, true story of the horrors of war, and the brutality both John Peters and John Nichol we’re subject too whilst in captivity, and the effect it had on both there own and their families lives. A must read.
September 13, 2021
A fascinating account of the ways to resist mental and physical breakdown during torture and interrogation by John Nichol. Can highly recommend his book on the Lancaster, one of the best reviews I have ever read on the subject
March 14, 2022
Down but not out.
Great read , the courage of all the aircrew s . The horrors both John's went through and the determination to survive a fascinating insight into horrific circumstances a very human story .
Great read , the courage of all the aircrew s . The horrors both John's went through and the determination to survive a fascinating insight into horrific circumstances a very human story .
February 12, 2025
A strong and early contender for best book I’ve read in 2025. Where to begin with this one? An incredible story, told in an engaging way whilst not shying away from the brutality or horror of it all. They say “unputdownable” and they weren’t lying…phew!
Also, I obviously cried multiple times.
Also, I obviously cried multiple times.
January 28, 2018
Fantastic Read
May 22, 2018
Excellent . A good read for the militarily minded and those who are not . A true story of hope and survival .
October 4, 2018
A good read. An honest account without embellishment and without the excessive military jargon that blights many of this genre.
December 3, 2018
Good Read
Enjoyable read. Despite losing a Tornado and full payload of weapons on their first mission, this book is hard to put down.
Enjoyable read. Despite losing a Tornado and full payload of weapons on their first mission, this book is hard to put down.
January 17, 2019
Endurance
Riveting read about how the mind and body are able to withstand the horrific and brutal treatment meted out to our brave servicemen
Riveting read about how the mind and body are able to withstand the horrific and brutal treatment meted out to our brave servicemen
February 10, 2020
Amazing
I was blown away by this true life account. There were sections where it felt as if you were there, so vivid was the writing. Thank you for writing this ..
I was blown away by this true life account. There were sections where it felt as if you were there, so vivid was the writing. Thank you for writing this ..
April 29, 2020
I bought this for my son and he absolutely loved, it is a great read and an amazing personal story, this is living history for many people and a good boy/mans book
December 31, 2020
I know John Nichol he arrived to fly with my husband after his ordeal in Iraq. A great book that changed John forever!
January 13, 2021
Quite an old book now, but still worth a read. A warning though, the torture meted out to the captured aircrew is described in some detail. As is the appalling behaviour of the Press.
April 3, 2021
well written and easily readable account of the Tornado crew shot down and mistreated during the Gulf War.
March 25, 2022
Incredible insight to a Gulf War fighting squadron and life as a PoW. Funny and touching.
June 7, 2022
Brilliant book I’d forgotten a lot of what happened so I found very interesting the two Johns went through so much
October 21, 2023
Superb read
November 1, 2023
A brilliant book.
March 31, 2024
Interesting recollections of the Gulf War and captivity, with military humour.
August 18, 2025
an absolutely amazing book. heart wrenching and engaging all at once, I came to this book after reading John Nichols' Unknown warrior, and it did not disappoint.
August 1, 2019
I forgot how much I loved the Tornado until I read this book,
Which is odd because the Tornado doesn't actually appear all that much in context.
This was a really interesting read, the events all took place slightly before I was born so while I had a vague knowledge of them I never understood what a huge deal the captured pilots were in the nation until reading this.
There is some really nice details about the Tornado and a nice map of where events took place, but don't go into the book expecting something about several missions being flown and dog fighting or anything like that, this book is mainly the story of how the pilots survived, endured and then their return to home afterwards.
A really entertaining book that caught my attention greatly and gripped onto it page after page. Sure I'd have liked some more Top Gun-esque action but that's not what this book is for (you do still get your victory-roll-waving-moment though).
I'd write more but I'm rather sleepy at the moment and I worry that I'd end up giving a lot of the story away for those who (like me) aren't familiar with it, just know it's well worth a read.
Which is odd because the Tornado doesn't actually appear all that much in context.
This was a really interesting read, the events all took place slightly before I was born so while I had a vague knowledge of them I never understood what a huge deal the captured pilots were in the nation until reading this.
There is some really nice details about the Tornado and a nice map of where events took place, but don't go into the book expecting something about several missions being flown and dog fighting or anything like that, this book is mainly the story of how the pilots survived, endured and then their return to home afterwards.
A really entertaining book that caught my attention greatly and gripped onto it page after page. Sure I'd have liked some more Top Gun-esque action but that's not what this book is for (you do still get your victory-roll-waving-moment though).
I'd write more but I'm rather sleepy at the moment and I worry that I'd end up giving a lot of the story away for those who (like me) aren't familiar with it, just know it's well worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews