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Operation Thunderflash
1943, London.
A Lancaster squadron is taking the fight to the Germans.
But it is far from a happy crew.
The commanding officer, Leatham, is weak, vain, over-ambitious and a coward at heart.
One of his flight commanders, Moakes, knows all his weaknesses only too well from earlier days when he had been a mere NCO pilot.
Moakes resents his presence and tries to get him killed. He is jealous, too, of the ex-sergeant's superior flying skill.
To the young newcomer to the squadron, Bill, flying a huge Lancaster and taking responsibility for six other lives is a heavy enough burden without the complication of his CO's vindictive and pusillanimous nature.
His predicament is made worse when Leatham’s wife falls in love with him and he with her.
Then Leatham comes up with Operation Thunderflash, a plan to bomb the area of Nesdal into oblivion, as a convenient way of winning glory for himself at others’ expense.
But the men have no idea what the Operation involves, only Leatham and his co-conspirators know the true details of the operation.
And when he catches his wife cheating, he organises for the man to be killed in battle…
But neither Leatham’s designs nor the love affair between his wife and one of his young pilots work out quite as anyone expected.
Least of all, the enemy…
'Operation Thunderflash' is an action-packed military thriller with tense battle scenes and whirlwind romance.
Praise for Richard
'A thrilling page turner.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'Trade Off'.
Richard Townsend Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of the second world war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. He wrote a range of military fiction and non-fiction books, including ‘Torpedo Attack’, ‘My Enemy Came Nigh’, ‘Bombing Run’ and ‘Summer of No Surrender’.
A Lancaster squadron is taking the fight to the Germans.
But it is far from a happy crew.
The commanding officer, Leatham, is weak, vain, over-ambitious and a coward at heart.
One of his flight commanders, Moakes, knows all his weaknesses only too well from earlier days when he had been a mere NCO pilot.
Moakes resents his presence and tries to get him killed. He is jealous, too, of the ex-sergeant's superior flying skill.
To the young newcomer to the squadron, Bill, flying a huge Lancaster and taking responsibility for six other lives is a heavy enough burden without the complication of his CO's vindictive and pusillanimous nature.
His predicament is made worse when Leatham’s wife falls in love with him and he with her.
Then Leatham comes up with Operation Thunderflash, a plan to bomb the area of Nesdal into oblivion, as a convenient way of winning glory for himself at others’ expense.
But the men have no idea what the Operation involves, only Leatham and his co-conspirators know the true details of the operation.
And when he catches his wife cheating, he organises for the man to be killed in battle…
But neither Leatham’s designs nor the love affair between his wife and one of his young pilots work out quite as anyone expected.
Least of all, the enemy…
'Operation Thunderflash' is an action-packed military thriller with tense battle scenes and whirlwind romance.
Praise for Richard
'A thrilling page turner.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'Trade Off'.
Richard Townsend Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of the second world war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. He wrote a range of military fiction and non-fiction books, including ‘Torpedo Attack’, ‘My Enemy Came Nigh’, ‘Bombing Run’ and ‘Summer of No Surrender’.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2015
13 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Richard Townshend Bickers
85 books14 followersRichard Leslie Townshend Bickers has written more books about the RAF and its predecessor, the RFC, than any other author past or present - some under a pseudonym. Being multilingual, he does his own research in foreign archives and by interviews and correspondence. His short stories and newspaper articles were first published and broadcast while he was a serving RAF officer. By the time he left the RAF his first four novels had appeared. His biography of his friend "Ginger" Lacey, the top-scoring pilot in the Battle of Britain, was published to acclaim in 1962.Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. In England he operated with Fighter and Coastal Commands; in North Africa and Italy with Desert Air Force and Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force. After the war he did a tour in Hong Kong and Malaya.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 17, 2017
Not much to say
An average war story of Bomber command. No real sapence (sp) , some good action. But all and all average reading. Better than average editing.
An average war story of Bomber command. No real sapence (sp) , some good action. But all and all average reading. Better than average editing.
February 24, 2018
Fair, but not spectacular
A English World War two flying story, unfortunately it was more of a
Illegal love affair. Rather a strange finnish
A English World War two flying story, unfortunately it was more of a
Illegal love affair. Rather a strange finnish
May 13, 2021
Good RAF Bomber Story
Get up close and personal with U for Uncle crew, there personalities and their combat missions. Bickers hasn’t disappointed me yet. Highly recommended.
Get up close and personal with U for Uncle crew, there personalities and their combat missions. Bickers hasn’t disappointed me yet. Highly recommended.
January 18, 2016
Great Bomber Story
One of his best with a great mix of characters, story, and authentic action. The characters development was well done and limited to just those for the story. Mr Bickers has offered a story with action that is believable, involves the reader, authentic in the action of flying and fighting with the mighty Lancaster Bomber, while keeping with the attitudes of the people and era of WWII in Britain. Another great book about WWII Flying on the RAF Side!
One of his best with a great mix of characters, story, and authentic action. The characters development was well done and limited to just those for the story. Mr Bickers has offered a story with action that is believable, involves the reader, authentic in the action of flying and fighting with the mighty Lancaster Bomber, while keeping with the attitudes of the people and era of WWII in Britain. Another great book about WWII Flying on the RAF Side!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews