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RAF Saga #1-4
The Complete RAF Series, Books 1-4
In this 4-book box set:
Book 1: Blue Yonder
Sergeant Mark Bayley, a flying ace, is shot down over German lines in 1918. As he recovers, he falls in love with his German nurse, Karolina. After the war, they marry and have a son, Max. For a while, things are perfect – even for Mark’s other son, John, whom Karolina adopts. But then, Max finds himself seduced by the German Fatherland. And as a second war looms, the brothers are set to fight on opposing sides.
Book 2: Death in the Sky
As Germany plans the invasion of Great Britain, it needs complete air superiority. At just twenty-one, Lieutenant Max Bayley is already one of the Luftwaffe’s leading pilots. Flying a Spitfire for Fighter Command is his half-brother, John. When Max joined up, he had no idea that Germany and England would ever go to war. Now he regrets his decision.
Book 3: Spiralling Down
Max Bayley is among Germany’s leading fighter pilots – even though he abhors much of the Nazi philosophy. For the Germans, the summer of 1941 is one of continuous triumph in the air. Meanwhile, Max’s English half-brother, John, a successful Spitfire pilot in the RAF, is shot down over France. Are the two brothers destined to remain on opposing sides?
Book 4: The Whirlwind
In the winter of 1942, the Luftwaffe confronts the RAF’s formidable new Mosquito aircraft. Goering knows the war cannot be won without the Mosquito, and orders military intelligence to obtain the specifications at any cost. How? By targeting the wife of Mosquito Squadron Leader, John Bayley.
Book 1: Blue Yonder
Sergeant Mark Bayley, a flying ace, is shot down over German lines in 1918. As he recovers, he falls in love with his German nurse, Karolina. After the war, they marry and have a son, Max. For a while, things are perfect – even for Mark’s other son, John, whom Karolina adopts. But then, Max finds himself seduced by the German Fatherland. And as a second war looms, the brothers are set to fight on opposing sides.
Book 2: Death in the Sky
As Germany plans the invasion of Great Britain, it needs complete air superiority. At just twenty-one, Lieutenant Max Bayley is already one of the Luftwaffe’s leading pilots. Flying a Spitfire for Fighter Command is his half-brother, John. When Max joined up, he had no idea that Germany and England would ever go to war. Now he regrets his decision.
Book 3: Spiralling Down
Max Bayley is among Germany’s leading fighter pilots – even though he abhors much of the Nazi philosophy. For the Germans, the summer of 1941 is one of continuous triumph in the air. Meanwhile, Max’s English half-brother, John, a successful Spitfire pilot in the RAF, is shot down over France. Are the two brothers destined to remain on opposing sides?
Book 4: The Whirlwind
In the winter of 1942, the Luftwaffe confronts the RAF’s formidable new Mosquito aircraft. Goering knows the war cannot be won without the Mosquito, and orders military intelligence to obtain the specifications at any cost. How? By targeting the wife of Mosquito Squadron Leader, John Bayley.
1106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2023
380 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Alan Savage
51 books15 followersChristopher Robin Nicole was born on 7 December 1930 in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana), where he was raised. He is the son of Jean Dorothy (Logan) and Jack Nicole, a police officer, both Scottish. He studied at Queen's College in Guyana and at Harrison College in Barbados. He was a fellow at the Canadian Bankers Association and a clerk for the Royal Bank of Canada in Georgetown and Nassau from 1947 to 1956. In 1957, he moved to Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom, where he currently lives, but he also has a domicile in Spain.
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 12, 2023
I was sucked into these books from book one. Perhaps because they were written by a man who remembers the Second World War-at times I thought he must’ve been a pilot; then, I realised his research was very extensive.
But the main ingredient was the way I was attracted by the similar way books, when I was a boy, we’re written. Adventure books as written by W.E.Johns and his hero, Biggles. Ah, such memories. Well worth reading.
But the main ingredient was the way I was attracted by the similar way books, when I was a boy, we’re written. Adventure books as written by W.E.Johns and his hero, Biggles. Ah, such memories. Well worth reading.
July 18, 2023
Full series of British WWII novels
Alan Savage wrote two series about the Second World War, the Duncan Morant books about the Royal Navy’s MBTs, or torpedo motor boats, and this series about the Royal Air Force (although this one actually begins with the Royal Flying Corps, the RAF’s predecessor, during WWI).
Both series are excellent, and show a tremendous amount of historical research. They are also both stories following individuals and their families, and the background given the family in the RAF series is complex and compelling (although clearly fictional— the coincidences make it sometimes less than likely).
Mark Bayley is a fighter pilot in the era of biplanes and dogfights. He becomes a ace before being shot down and seriously wounded, ending up in a German hospital with a badly mangled leg. He comes out with a severe limp and a new wife— he and the German nurse who cared for him fell in love.
Mark and Karolina raise two sons, John (from Mark’s prior relationship) and Max, their own boy. Before the start of any hostilities, John trains at the RAF school; Max joins his German family and, also as the son of an English ace, is invited to join the Luftwaffe to become a pilot. The Nazi government recognized the propaganda coup that would be, and Max, still just a teenager and unhappy with his family, jumped at the chance. Once the fighting began, it was too late to change his mind— he was a traitor to the land where he grew up.
The three latter books cover Mark’s sons as they each become aces in their respective services, their personal lives and loves (John comes off better), and of course the war itself. Savage writes well and knows how to carry the narrative, and the history is fascinating.
[I have to admit to a preference for the Royal Navy’s Hon. Duncan Morant books, both because Duncan’s mother is one of the more interesting characters I’ve read recently, and because I prefer the naval history, having spent years in the US Navy.]
Recommended.
Alan Savage wrote two series about the Second World War, the Duncan Morant books about the Royal Navy’s MBTs, or torpedo motor boats, and this series about the Royal Air Force (although this one actually begins with the Royal Flying Corps, the RAF’s predecessor, during WWI).
Both series are excellent, and show a tremendous amount of historical research. They are also both stories following individuals and their families, and the background given the family in the RAF series is complex and compelling (although clearly fictional— the coincidences make it sometimes less than likely).
Mark Bayley is a fighter pilot in the era of biplanes and dogfights. He becomes a ace before being shot down and seriously wounded, ending up in a German hospital with a badly mangled leg. He comes out with a severe limp and a new wife— he and the German nurse who cared for him fell in love.
Mark and Karolina raise two sons, John (from Mark’s prior relationship) and Max, their own boy. Before the start of any hostilities, John trains at the RAF school; Max joins his German family and, also as the son of an English ace, is invited to join the Luftwaffe to become a pilot. The Nazi government recognized the propaganda coup that would be, and Max, still just a teenager and unhappy with his family, jumped at the chance. Once the fighting began, it was too late to change his mind— he was a traitor to the land where he grew up.
The three latter books cover Mark’s sons as they each become aces in their respective services, their personal lives and loves (John comes off better), and of course the war itself. Savage writes well and knows how to carry the narrative, and the history is fascinating.
[I have to admit to a preference for the Royal Navy’s Hon. Duncan Morant books, both because Duncan’s mother is one of the more interesting characters I’ve read recently, and because I prefer the naval history, having spent years in the US Navy.]
Recommended.
June 2, 2024
Enjoyable series with a really stupid ending.
When you are feeling in the mood for some adventure novels these are fun to read. But don’t look for incredible accuracy. ME210s as a main German fighter? That particular airplane was an absolute failure, and while it was used in the same basic roles as the ME110 is wasn’t much of a replacement. The book also has the lamest ending. The basic plot line has 2 brothers, 1 with a German mother fighting for Germany and the other fighting for England. They clash multiple times. The book gets to late 44, early 45 maybe… and then just ends. Maybe he plans on a volume 5? You are left really wanting the brothers to either meet up after the war, or something. Also the ebooks have the worst editing going. In one sentence you are reading about brother 1, and in the next it switches to brother 2. No chapter markings. No dotted lines, nothing. That said I definitely got my $2 worth.
When you are feeling in the mood for some adventure novels these are fun to read. But don’t look for incredible accuracy. ME210s as a main German fighter? That particular airplane was an absolute failure, and while it was used in the same basic roles as the ME110 is wasn’t much of a replacement. The book also has the lamest ending. The basic plot line has 2 brothers, 1 with a German mother fighting for Germany and the other fighting for England. They clash multiple times. The book gets to late 44, early 45 maybe… and then just ends. Maybe he plans on a volume 5? You are left really wanting the brothers to either meet up after the war, or something. Also the ebooks have the worst editing going. In one sentence you are reading about brother 1, and in the next it switches to brother 2. No chapter markings. No dotted lines, nothing. That said I definitely got my $2 worth.
December 29, 2023
If you like WW II war action books, this book may be for you.
In today’s world I find myself abandoning most downloaded books. Based on this, despite issues, I would rate books I read at 4 or 5 stars. These books kept my attention to the end. However I dropped a star because this is supposed to be a complete series but ended without a finish.
There are numerous technical problems. Some pages seemed out of sequence and transitions between characters were confusing.
The main male characters were from the same family and had such similar traits that they could have been the same person. This included their actions in the bedroom and sexual conquests. This period piece may have not kept true to the values of the time.
Despite these issues I did enjoy the adventure.
In today’s world I find myself abandoning most downloaded books. Based on this, despite issues, I would rate books I read at 4 or 5 stars. These books kept my attention to the end. However I dropped a star because this is supposed to be a complete series but ended without a finish.
There are numerous technical problems. Some pages seemed out of sequence and transitions between characters were confusing.
The main male characters were from the same family and had such similar traits that they could have been the same person. This included their actions in the bedroom and sexual conquests. This period piece may have not kept true to the values of the time.
Despite these issues I did enjoy the adventure.
November 11, 2023
An interesting saga
I enjoyed the family history that went into this saga and the action scenes while watered down by the family saga remained frequent enough to maintain the
Ace of the story.
While the ‘romance’ scenes felt to have as much wordage spent on them as the action scenes I felt the former to be written with quite a modern view of chastity as opposed to a period perception. Though the honour in romance was attempted to be maintained I was left feeling our 2 main protagonist’s would frequently be resorting to their loins to resolve their issues.
A worthy read but requires grains of NaCl to enjoy the story.
I enjoyed the family history that went into this saga and the action scenes while watered down by the family saga remained frequent enough to maintain the
Ace of the story.
While the ‘romance’ scenes felt to have as much wordage spent on them as the action scenes I felt the former to be written with quite a modern view of chastity as opposed to a period perception. Though the honour in romance was attempted to be maintained I was left feeling our 2 main protagonist’s would frequently be resorting to their loins to resolve their issues.
A worthy read but requires grains of NaCl to enjoy the story.
February 2, 2024
Enjoyable…but
I read all four books without a break. I enjoyed the set….I liked the juxtaposition between Max and John. Both characters, just like their father, had some serious flaws when it came to women. I thought the presentation of the technology race between England and Germany to build a better plane was interesting. I think the author woefully failed to address the impact of the US participation in the war all the while attempting to present the war being fought between England and Germany. But…I still read the set…so there is that. :)
I read all four books without a break. I enjoyed the set….I liked the juxtaposition between Max and John. Both characters, just like their father, had some serious flaws when it came to women. I thought the presentation of the technology race between England and Germany to build a better plane was interesting. I think the author woefully failed to address the impact of the US participation in the war all the while attempting to present the war being fought between England and Germany. But…I still read the set…so there is that. :)
July 22, 2023
Thrilling historical fiction from both POV
Beginning with Mark Bayley, RAF ace pilot in WWI, this series continues through WWII, seen through the eyes of John Bayley, RAF pilot and his younger brother, Max Bayley, Luftwaffe pilot. The descriptions of the various war planes and aerial combat were fascinating, and the whole series is very well-written. Didn't want to put it down. Bravo!
Beginning with Mark Bayley, RAF ace pilot in WWI, this series continues through WWII, seen through the eyes of John Bayley, RAF pilot and his younger brother, Max Bayley, Luftwaffe pilot. The descriptions of the various war planes and aerial combat were fascinating, and the whole series is very well-written. Didn't want to put it down. Bravo!
September 30, 2023
Excellent series of books very well written. Which follows one family and friends though the first and second world wars starting with
Mark Bayley, RAF ace pilot in WWI, this series continues through WWII, seen through the eyes of John Bayley, RAF pilot and his younger brother, Max Bayley, Luftwaffe pilot. The descriptions of the various war planes and air combats. From both sides of the conflicts. With a personal events of both brothers and there family's.
Mark Bayley, RAF ace pilot in WWI, this series continues through WWII, seen through the eyes of John Bayley, RAF pilot and his younger brother, Max Bayley, Luftwaffe pilot. The descriptions of the various war planes and air combats. From both sides of the conflicts. With a personal events of both brothers and there family's.
November 8, 2023
wonderful story telling
The story is really absorbing. I loved every page. There are a few disconcerting aspects to the writing. As a writer myself I’ll say the author does a lot of head-hoping which means the next paragraph you read might be from someone else’s perspective with no warning. It may Also leap into the future - again with no warning. Beyond these, thestory telling is wonderful!
The story is really absorbing. I loved every page. There are a few disconcerting aspects to the writing. As a writer myself I’ll say the author does a lot of head-hoping which means the next paragraph you read might be from someone else’s perspective with no warning. It may Also leap into the future - again with no warning. Beyond these, thestory telling is wonderful!
May 10, 2024
It has a good story to it but there are gaps in it. Like the Dam Busters raid which I thought was a significant raid in terms of WWll history plus the part played by the Lancaster Bomber. I didn't like how it jumps from the English story to the German side of it in the same paragraph, the writer only covers the first day of the D-Day landings. I wasn't very impressed how it ended either. Which is why I've given it 3⭐ but still like I've already said it's a good story.
September 1, 2023
WARNING you will not be able to put this series of books down once you start.
I have only just discovered Alan Savage and I must say what a great writer he is.
I first read the 4 book series about the MTBs and found it fascinating again I found it hard to put down (good job I’m retired and have the time) I’m looking forward to reading more of his work.
I have only just discovered Alan Savage and I must say what a great writer he is.
I first read the 4 book series about the MTBs and found it fascinating again I found it hard to put down (good job I’m retired and have the time) I’m looking forward to reading more of his work.
September 11, 2023
A truly fine flying adventure
Aviation fans will enjoy this saga of a family of aviators through the two world wars. This tale has the flavor of brothers in our own civil war, pitting brother against brother.
Filled with warmth, tragedy, action, romance, and a bit of sex, this series will please anyone looking for a high flying war story over Europe.
Aviation fans will enjoy this saga of a family of aviators through the two world wars. This tale has the flavor of brothers in our own civil war, pitting brother against brother.
Filled with warmth, tragedy, action, romance, and a bit of sex, this series will please anyone looking for a high flying war story over Europe.
October 15, 2023
Family at War
Good yarn of two familys at war in both world wars and in between . All the ups and downs of family life on both sides of Europe . The story will keep the reader wanting to read more . Worth a read . Just watch out for some spelling mistakes , i.e.' Fuhrer ' spelt 'Fuehrer ' .
Good yarn of two familys at war in both world wars and in between . All the ups and downs of family life on both sides of Europe . The story will keep the reader wanting to read more . Worth a read . Just watch out for some spelling mistakes , i.e.' Fuhrer ' spelt 'Fuehrer ' .
November 18, 2023
Good read
Good story line and character development, needed to do better research regarding aircraft flown in WWII. The P-47 preceded the Mustang, which didn't make an appearance until November 1944. Likewise, the Messerschmidt 210 made a brief appearance, was judged a dud by the Luftwaffe and quickly withdrawn from service.
Good story line and character development, needed to do better research regarding aircraft flown in WWII. The P-47 preceded the Mustang, which didn't make an appearance until November 1944. Likewise, the Messerschmidt 210 made a brief appearance, was judged a dud by the Luftwaffe and quickly withdrawn from service.
August 6, 2023
The RAF personified and created in technicolor.
Completely obsessive reading. Each book following and increasing the authenticity and tension of the one before. Satisfying and tenable ending.
Completely obsessive reading. Each book following and increasing the authenticity and tension of the one before. Satisfying and tenable ending.
September 27, 2023
Brutal air war won and lost.
This series of books brought back a lot of forgotten memories. Times that my parents lived through and endured. Churchill never said truer words ( so much owed to the few ). Very good read.
This series of books brought back a lot of forgotten memories. Times that my parents lived through and endured. Churchill never said truer words ( so much owed to the few ). Very good read.
November 3, 2023
Great series
Love the historical quotes st beginning of each chapter, more importantly introduction to many type planes I'd never heard of
In WWll, I'd look up name read about them.
This series for any reader who likes air combat .
Love the historical quotes st beginning of each chapter, more importantly introduction to many type planes I'd never heard of
In WWll, I'd look up name read about them.
This series for any reader who likes air combat .
November 12, 2023
Four of the best
With out a doubt four exceptional stories about a family at war from both sides ,my only criticism is the way the author goes from one family story to the other with out a break in the narrative/ paragraph other than that I enjoyed them all.
With out a doubt four exceptional stories about a family at war from both sides ,my only criticism is the way the author goes from one family story to the other with out a break in the narrative/ paragraph other than that I enjoyed them all.
January 26, 2024
Reat Read!!
The story follows two families one British and one German through the Second World War until the A,lied invasion. Great action and great story line through four books. I would recommend to a friend.
The story follows two families one British and one German through the Second World War until the A,lied invasion. Great action and great story line through four books. I would recommend to a friend.
February 11, 2024
Leaves you wanting more.
The story of the Bagley family from WWI through the allied landing at Normandy. Interesting development s and family changes. The end leaves you wondering about what happens during the ending of WWII and its aftermath. Could be just as interesting.
The story of the Bagley family from WWI through the allied landing at Normandy. Interesting development s and family changes. The end leaves you wondering about what happens during the ending of WWII and its aftermath. Could be just as interesting.
February 12, 2024
Great Series
Nice WWI & II novels. It starts in the first war as the father is an ace. The second war has half brothers fighting for England and the other for Germany. It ends as we land at Normandy. I do wish it went to after that war.
Nice WWI & II novels. It starts in the first war as the father is an ace. The second war has half brothers fighting for England and the other for Germany. It ends as we land at Normandy. I do wish it went to after that war.
July 26, 2023
Good read
Good story, no doubt there were several families caught in similar circumstances during the war, a good read it has been a pleasure reading all three books.
Good story, no doubt there were several families caught in similar circumstances during the war, a good read it has been a pleasure reading all three books.
September 24, 2023
An ok family saga
A good overall story spoiled by technical errors and errors in historical dates e.g. Aircraft armament and when particular models were introduced.
A good overall story spoiled by technical errors and errors in historical dates e.g. Aircraft armament and when particular models were introduced.
September 29, 2023
An excellent box set thet proved to be an enjoyable and informative read. Highly recommend.
November 13, 2023
Excellent three books
Superb characters all the way through. The story ran like a spitfire - fast and furious. Loved every minute. Very highly recommended.
Superb characters all the way through. The story ran like a spitfire - fast and furious. Loved every minute. Very highly recommended.
March 18, 2024
Great story
One of the best groups of books I have read a long time,would definitely recommend this collection 👌. Brilliant set of books .
One of the best groups of books I have read a long time,would definitely recommend this collection 👌. Brilliant set of books .
March 19, 2024
Lost interest quickly
March 23, 2024
Never in.........
Some of the very best books written on the most important moments of human recent history
We owe them our freedom
Some of the very best books written on the most important moments of human recent history
We owe them our freedom
October 15, 2024
A good storyline, hope to find out whether the family ever reconciled.
December 18, 2024
Could have been better
The book had potential but the author kept rehashing info that already been covered. This made the story slow down and crawl. Nice try.
The book had potential but the author kept rehashing info that already been covered. This made the story slow down and crawl. Nice try.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews