A Pathfinder in the Peenemunde Raid: 50 Operations over Nazi Occupied Territory

by Arthur Spencer

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.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published July 2, 2024

Reviews

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly good and quick read about the wartime service of a RAF navigator. Arthur Spencer joined up as soon as he finished school and was sent to Canada and the USA for pilot training where he washed out well into it. He then attended navigation school also in the USA and received his navigator brevet. He returned to England to join Bomber Command flying Lancasters. He completed two tours, one with the main force and the second with the Pathfinders to end up on 45 missions.

After surviving his tours, which was mostly flown in 1943 when the casualty rates for Bomber Command were extremely high, he left for the Mediterranean theatre as a navigation staff officer and here flew a further 5 missions to get to a round even number as he himself says. Though this book is named after his part in the Peenemunde raid against the German V-weapons site there, he describes each mission he went on briefly, and most of them were as dangerous if not more so than the raid on Peenemunde as he took part in the Battle of the Ruhr and a few raids on Berlin.

The last chapter is his time as a navigator on BOAC seaplanes on the route from London to Singapore, and this ends the book on a nice light note for the reader. Overall, a very good and enjoyable read about just another unassuming member of the greatest generation in his own words. Highly recommended.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pathfinder in the Peenemunde Raid

An amazing story of bravery told by Arthur Spencer. So much information has been given in this book which has been unknown about WWII and the men who fought in the skies. Definitely worth reading if you need expert knowledge from a man who survived all the perils of war. A real page turner!

[Phil Curme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting the Arthur Spencer recently and having spent time listening to his recollections I was keen to learn more from his recently published autobiography. I was not disappointed - in this highly readable account, the author tells of his recruitment into the RAF at the age of 19, and his subsequent service with the Lancasters of 97 Squadron operating out of Woodhall Spa. After completing the best part of 30 operations over the Reich, Arthur had built his reputation as a highly accomplished navigator and, along with his crew, joined the elite Pathfinder Force where he rounded off his first tour and completed a second.

The book offers a rich description of what it was like to fly with Bomber Command and provides fascinating insights into the development of innovations and new capabilities that kept Allied air power one step ahead of German counter-measures throughout the Second World War. The Peenemunde Raid is covered in detail as are a number of other memorable missions. The author was clearly a popular figure and the narrative does not shy away from describing the comrades he served with - many of whom didn't survive.

At the age of 103, Arthur Spencer is one of a special generation. We have a responsibility to remember the sacrifices made by those who served during the Second World War, and, specifically, the brave personnel of Bomber Command. This book is a valuable record of one mans' service and the reader can only marvel at the bravery of those who crewed the aircraft that did so much towards defeating the Nazis.