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Australia's Aviation Heroes: True Stories from Our Airmen at War
From the author of bestselling Sisters in Captivity, seven remarkable stories of men who served from WWI to Korea – their wartime exploits and achievements through aviation.
Based on personal interviews conducted by the author over many years, Australia’s Aviation Heroes captures the exploits of extraordinary men in extraordinary times. We’re introduced to Jack Treacy, the WWI fighter pilot who was not only on the scene when the notorious Red Baron was shot down over France but came perilously close to joining him in his grave. Re-live the story of Ernie Guest, a man determined to fly against all odds after storming into battle on the bloody shores of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Meet George Allen, the Scottish-born pilot who survived that same war and went on to become one of the great pioneers in Australian aviation history. Then there is the harrowing tale of Joe Herman, the Queensland bomber pilot blown out of his doomed aircraft over war-torn Europe without a parachute who, through a mid-air miracle – truly a million-to-one chance – managed to live to tell his story.
We get to know Clive Caldwell, the indomitable Sydney man regarded as Australia’s greatest fighter pilot of WWII, as well as Don Bennett, the resolute, record-breaking Queenslander who developed and led Bomber Command’s legendary Pathfinder Force. During the Korean War, Phillip Zupp, an Australian Meteor pilot, was badly hurt while trying to rescue a fellow jet pilot who had been shot down, and his bravery while under fire was recognised by a citation for a Purple Heart – the only Australian ever to be recommended for this uniquely American medal for injuries sustained during an act of outstanding courage.
These are the amazing stories of men who answered the call during desperate times, willingly taking to the dangerous skies in wartime. Australia can salute and be proud of their many astounding accomplishments.
Based on personal interviews conducted by the author over many years, Australia’s Aviation Heroes captures the exploits of extraordinary men in extraordinary times. We’re introduced to Jack Treacy, the WWI fighter pilot who was not only on the scene when the notorious Red Baron was shot down over France but came perilously close to joining him in his grave. Re-live the story of Ernie Guest, a man determined to fly against all odds after storming into battle on the bloody shores of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Meet George Allen, the Scottish-born pilot who survived that same war and went on to become one of the great pioneers in Australian aviation history. Then there is the harrowing tale of Joe Herman, the Queensland bomber pilot blown out of his doomed aircraft over war-torn Europe without a parachute who, through a mid-air miracle – truly a million-to-one chance – managed to live to tell his story.
We get to know Clive Caldwell, the indomitable Sydney man regarded as Australia’s greatest fighter pilot of WWII, as well as Don Bennett, the resolute, record-breaking Queenslander who developed and led Bomber Command’s legendary Pathfinder Force. During the Korean War, Phillip Zupp, an Australian Meteor pilot, was badly hurt while trying to rescue a fellow jet pilot who had been shot down, and his bravery while under fire was recognised by a citation for a Purple Heart – the only Australian ever to be recommended for this uniquely American medal for injuries sustained during an act of outstanding courage.
These are the amazing stories of men who answered the call during desperate times, willingly taking to the dangerous skies in wartime. Australia can salute and be proud of their many astounding accomplishments.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2025
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December 31, 2025
I enjoyed Colin’s previous book, Sisters in Captivity, so was looking forward to reading this - the origins of which go back forty years, when Colin was contributing articles to the Qantas cabin crew magazine, Transit. Some of those articles have been expanded and updated here.
It contains the stories of seven aviators, focusing on conflicts from World War I to Korea. The featured men are:
- Jack Treacy
- Ernie Guest
- George ‘Scotty’ Allan
- Don Bennett
- Joe Herman
- Clive Caldwell
- Phillip Zupp
Colin draws on interviews he conducted with the men across the years. It also includes pictures which were great at bringing the men to life.
This book was the definition of two halves and I contemplated abandoning it during the first section. It came across like an advertisement for Qantas and something cobbled together from old articles - the title and cover almost seemed misleading. While fascinating to learn about the pioneering days of aviation, I didn’t expect it to grow tedious.
Thankfully, I was significantly more invested in the second half. Once the action came, it didn’t let up and I was completely engaged. It was finally the book I hoped it would be.
“I hit the ground just as my parachute opened. Had I pulled that ripcord just one second later I wouldn’t be sitting here today talking to you.” – Air Vice Marshal Don Bennett
I particularly enjoyed Don’s story about his participation in a daring raid on the German battleship, Tirpitz. I also learned plenty about the heroic Pathfinder groups.
Among stories that will stay with me are those depicting airmen who survived falls without parachutes. Alan Magee survived being blown out of a plane at 22,000 feet, crashing into a railway station. Nick Alkemade, a rear-gunner who realised his parachute was too damaged to use, jumped to his death from a flaming Lancaster – only to survive crashing through trees and landing in deep snow.
Flight Lieutenant Joseph B Herman was an Australian who survived jumping from his crippled plane without a parachute too.
“Reaching back for his parachute, his blood ran cold when he saw the entire starboard wing tear itself from the fuselage.”
He remembered praying while falling and awaiting the inevitable – only to suddenly collide with something 5,000 feet above the ground. It was one of his gunners floating down – so, he grabbed his leg and held on!
Group Captain Clive Caldwell, our highest scoring fighter ace of World War Two, was another great chapter. Many of these tales of survival were inspiring and Colin did remarkably well to portray their unique personalities – Caldwell’s chapter was a good example, particularly regarding his reasons for going to war.
“…I was irritated by that ranting little bastard Hitler..”
The book ended with another strong chapter, however, could’ve done with a conclusion – it ended somewhat abruptly.
While Australia’s Aviation Heroes is inconsistent, I’m glad that I stuck with it, proving it’s sometimes good to persist with books you might otherwise abandon. I’m grateful for the service, heroics, and survival of these aviators, and for Colin sharing their stories. I recommend this for aviation buffs and those wanting to learn about our remarkable Australian pilots.
“A man has every right to have faith in himself. If he hasn’t, he can’t expect it from others.” – Group Captain Clive Caldwell.
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It contains the stories of seven aviators, focusing on conflicts from World War I to Korea. The featured men are:
- Jack Treacy
- Ernie Guest
- George ‘Scotty’ Allan
- Don Bennett
- Joe Herman
- Clive Caldwell
- Phillip Zupp
Colin draws on interviews he conducted with the men across the years. It also includes pictures which were great at bringing the men to life.
This book was the definition of two halves and I contemplated abandoning it during the first section. It came across like an advertisement for Qantas and something cobbled together from old articles - the title and cover almost seemed misleading. While fascinating to learn about the pioneering days of aviation, I didn’t expect it to grow tedious.
Thankfully, I was significantly more invested in the second half. Once the action came, it didn’t let up and I was completely engaged. It was finally the book I hoped it would be.
“I hit the ground just as my parachute opened. Had I pulled that ripcord just one second later I wouldn’t be sitting here today talking to you.” – Air Vice Marshal Don Bennett
I particularly enjoyed Don’s story about his participation in a daring raid on the German battleship, Tirpitz. I also learned plenty about the heroic Pathfinder groups.
Among stories that will stay with me are those depicting airmen who survived falls without parachutes. Alan Magee survived being blown out of a plane at 22,000 feet, crashing into a railway station. Nick Alkemade, a rear-gunner who realised his parachute was too damaged to use, jumped to his death from a flaming Lancaster – only to survive crashing through trees and landing in deep snow.
Flight Lieutenant Joseph B Herman was an Australian who survived jumping from his crippled plane without a parachute too.
“Reaching back for his parachute, his blood ran cold when he saw the entire starboard wing tear itself from the fuselage.”
He remembered praying while falling and awaiting the inevitable – only to suddenly collide with something 5,000 feet above the ground. It was one of his gunners floating down – so, he grabbed his leg and held on!
Group Captain Clive Caldwell, our highest scoring fighter ace of World War Two, was another great chapter. Many of these tales of survival were inspiring and Colin did remarkably well to portray their unique personalities – Caldwell’s chapter was a good example, particularly regarding his reasons for going to war.
“…I was irritated by that ranting little bastard Hitler..”
The book ended with another strong chapter, however, could’ve done with a conclusion – it ended somewhat abruptly.
While Australia’s Aviation Heroes is inconsistent, I’m glad that I stuck with it, proving it’s sometimes good to persist with books you might otherwise abandon. I’m grateful for the service, heroics, and survival of these aviators, and for Colin sharing their stories. I recommend this for aviation buffs and those wanting to learn about our remarkable Australian pilots.
“A man has every right to have faith in himself. If he hasn’t, he can’t expect it from others.” – Group Captain Clive Caldwell.
Many thanks to Simon and Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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