Cinderella Boys: The Forgotten RAF Force that Won the Battle of the Atlantic

by Leo McKinstry

The remarkable story of the unsung RAF wing who rescued Britain from Hitler's U-boats and made Allied victory possible.

In early 1943 Britain was engaged in an epic struggle for survival. As the deadly wolf packs of German U-boats roamed the Atlantic, supply lines and shipping losses fell victim to the carnage.

In desperation, Churchill turned to the RAF's maritime wing - an overlooked, underfunded force known as "The Cinderella Service". But the ascendancy of the U-boat forced a change in attitude. Provided with the long-range planes, depth charges, rocket projectiles and radar equipment with which to challenge the enemy. The Cinderella boys provided vital air defence the whole way across the Atlantic. The German hunters were now the hunted, and - in a stunning defeat - had fully retreated by the summer of 1943.

The transformation of Coastal Command from a ramshackle outfit into a vast, formidable organisation provided one of the turning points of the war, keeping Britain in the war and opening the way to D-Day in 1944. But they never received the credit they deserved.

Based on a wealth of new sources, including from diaries, log books, official records, archives and interviews, Leo McKinstry shines a new light the courageous pilots, ingenious scientists and political risktakers - many of them outsiders - who defended the freezing Atlantic from Nazi rule

Genres: History, Aviation, Military History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military Fiction, War

323 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2023

About the author

Leo McKinstry writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. He has also written nine books including a life of Geoff Boycott, which was recently named one of the finest cricket books written in a Wisden poll. His best-selling biography of the footballing Charlton brothers was a top-ten bestseller and won the Sports Book of the Year award, while his study of Lord Rosebery won Channel Four Political Book of the year. Most recently he has written a trilogy about the RAF in the Second World War, including Spitfire, Lancaster and Hurricane.

Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.

Reviews

[Grant S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Often overlooked by the more glamorous Bomber and Fighter commands this history of the wartime service of Costal Command looks to redress the balance.
It's easy to forget what a dangerous exploit it was scouring the Atlantic in search of Hitler's U-boats was. Starting with outdated aircraft and equipment in 1939 and turning a near defeat into complete dominance of the seas by the end of the war McKinstry tells the story.
He's very thorough and uses first hand accounts from flight logs and memoirs to bring a human perspective to what can be at times a slightly dry and very serious book.
Does it's job well in bringing light to this forgotten branch of the wartime services.

[Tony Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

The RAF's Cinderella Boys accurately brought to life.

Incredible research and insight portraying a very bleak life as a member of of Coastal Command during WW1. The political aspects are especially enlightening when compared to events in the 21st century.... i.e. brand new aircraft carriers that have to be be adapted, at great expense, to carry a significantly different aircraft. It would seem that the MoD has changed in 50 yrs.
Someone needs to be brave enough to make a film of this book.

[Nick Harriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first rate book and an excellent companion to Jonathan Dimbleby's equally excellent Battle of the Atlantic, which has a greater emphasis on the naval side of the Battle. Tracing the Costal Command from its early weakness to near dominance, it is a perfect history.

[Martin Vallance · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a bit like Guy Gibson's book 'Enemy Coast Ahead' but this was more focused on the bureaucratical fight, rather than the fight by the guys at the sharp end.

[Jack Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling and important tribute to Coastal Command - an often-forgotten force that played a vital role in the Second World War. McKinstry traces its evolution from a neglected, under-funded unit - flying obsolete aircraft - to one that became a decisive player in the Battle of the Atlantic. Early in the war, their impact was small (fewer than ten U-boats sunk by 1941) compared to later success, and the book highlights the political and inter-service neglect behind this. The real strength lies in the vivid use of primary sources. The voices of the aircrews bring the long patrols and quiet heroism to life. At times the writing can be dense, but as a narrative history and tribute, it more than delivers.

[S I · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about an organisation that has, sadly, very little written about it. Coastal Command was, as is highlighted in Leo’s magnificent book, in the Second World War in Europe - the book concentrates on the Battles for the Atlantic, North Sea, and the waters around the UK and north and Western Europe - from Day 1 until the surrender of the last U-Boats (after VE Day!). From its embryonic stage early in the war to War winners, this is the story of Coastal Command and its Constant Endurance!

Spoiler Alert - we won!

[Dr John D Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good writing makes a fitting tribute to those who served in Coastal Command

Good narrative historical writing, with pace and drama, rather than a tedious succession of statistics and reports based predominantly on log entries. Insightful and forthright commentary on political and command controversies and conflicts. Draws together a wide range of information that provides a fitting tribute to those who served in Coastal Command.

[Simon P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written account of this less well known or appreciated service during the war years. I occasionally found my attention wandering due to one too many mission reports, but otherwise McKinstry once again provides insight into both the technical advances that punctuated the struggle and the personalities that influenced the story of the service.

Recommended.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent tribute to a branch of the RAF that wasn't given its due after the end of the wat.
It is difficult to understand why Churchill gave priority to Bomber Command when this country was in danger of losing the Battle of The Atlantic.

[MR ANDREW TUCKER]

Found out a lot about coastal command

I liked that it went through the whole war and was astonished that it was pushed to the back in to getting aircraft. But it proved that with the right equipment it caused the Germans a great deal of trouble and helped win the war.

[Phil On The Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book. 3.5 stars. I think it would have benefited from many more photographs and perhps a glossary on the aircraft

[B Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coastal

Thank you Leo Mckinstry another beautifully written thoroughly absorbing detailed history,such an enjoyable read.
Recommended as a cannot put down book.

[Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sometimes dry but nonetheless interesting account of the RAF’s Coastal Command during world war two. Well researched and logically structured, a fitting testimony to the men who so bravely served.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall view of the “Cinderella service” Coastal Command. Plenty of detail and a good all-rounder. Worth reading for a basic overview of Coastal Command during WW2 and its defensive and offensive work as well as the inter service rivalries and politics that kept it the Cinderella service until late in the war.
If like me you had not really read anything about Coastal Command during WW2 it is a good book to start with.

[Karen Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are never to old to discover new info. This is about the Coastal Command who, if you will pardon the pun, flew under the radar in WW11 to stunning effect.

This book is in chronological order so its very easy to follow the trajectory of the conflict and the impact this force had on it, and the outcome. All at the most tragic cost.