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The Daedalus Quartet #1
Trial By Fire
August 1939.
War is about to be declared in Europe.
Roger Hallowes, an RAF sergeant pilot returns to the hangars with his comrades from B Squadron to see who else had returned from the latest attack.
Only one more Blenheim had come in.
Of the nine that had taken off, three had been shot down. One crashed on landing.
One captain, one second pilot and two wireless operator-air gunners had been killed in the six which had survived the battle.
The mental arithmetic Roger did to calculate his chances of surviving another half-dozen operations gave him no comfort.
Three young men, Roger and his two cousins, share the last few precious days of peace with their families and friends.
Their carefree, comfortable lives are about to be shattered by the hardships and horrors of the Second World War.
‘Trial by Fire’ follows these men through the dramatic first year of war; the fall of France and the triumph of the Battle of Britain. It gives a comprehensive view of the early air operations whose outcome affected the whole future course of the war.
‘Trial by Fire’ is a gripping war story told from first-hand experience and a wide knowledge of the R.A.F in all its facets.
Praise for Richard Bickers:
'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’.
Originally published as 'The Gifts of Jove'.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
War is about to be declared in Europe.
Roger Hallowes, an RAF sergeant pilot returns to the hangars with his comrades from B Squadron to see who else had returned from the latest attack.
Only one more Blenheim had come in.
Of the nine that had taken off, three had been shot down. One crashed on landing.
One captain, one second pilot and two wireless operator-air gunners had been killed in the six which had survived the battle.
The mental arithmetic Roger did to calculate his chances of surviving another half-dozen operations gave him no comfort.
Three young men, Roger and his two cousins, share the last few precious days of peace with their families and friends.
Their carefree, comfortable lives are about to be shattered by the hardships and horrors of the Second World War.
‘Trial by Fire’ follows these men through the dramatic first year of war; the fall of France and the triumph of the Battle of Britain. It gives a comprehensive view of the early air operations whose outcome affected the whole future course of the war.
‘Trial by Fire’ is a gripping war story told from first-hand experience and a wide knowledge of the R.A.F in all its facets.
Praise for Richard Bickers:
'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’.
Originally published as 'The Gifts of Jove'.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
- GenresHistorical FictionAmazon
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1983
413 people are currently reading
160 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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 4, 2018
I found this book a bit slow to get into. Once the story moved toward more of the aerial combat, it picked up pace and I finished it quite quickly. I’ll be downloading book #2 very soon.
February 13, 2019
Early Days
A good I production yo Yeo brothers and a cousin. All characters you can relate to and look forward to reading more of their exploits
A good I production yo Yeo brothers and a cousin. All characters you can relate to and look forward to reading more of their exploits
April 9, 2018
The story of the Seton s family as involved in WWII
This book is about two brothers, James and Christpher, their coussin Roger, and their service with the RAF during WWII. James flies a Hurricane fighter, while his brother and cousin fly the Blenheime, a two engine bomber that is small and very fast for the time. After reading the book, I am of the opinion that thisplane is the precursor to or is actually the Mosquito which was used as both a fighter and bomber during the war. I have always felt that this was one of the most beautiful and efficient planes of WWII. This book follows each as the become efficient pilots, and at the same time have to grow up and try to understand their relationships with others and the women in their lives. It is verryy well written. There's plenty of action to satisfy most people who like that while still dealing with their emotions and rational. I could not put this book down. The storyline and plot are very well woven in this book. I am not gong into depth on this book, as I do not want to spoil the book for those interested in reading it. Suffice to say that I highly recommend this book for those who would enjoy it. I think that the reader's who are unsure about this book will be delightfully suprised. READ IT!!!
This book is about two brothers, James and Christpher, their coussin Roger, and their service with the RAF during WWII. James flies a Hurricane fighter, while his brother and cousin fly the Blenheime, a two engine bomber that is small and very fast for the time. After reading the book, I am of the opinion that thisplane is the precursor to or is actually the Mosquito which was used as both a fighter and bomber during the war. I have always felt that this was one of the most beautiful and efficient planes of WWII. This book follows each as the become efficient pilots, and at the same time have to grow up and try to understand their relationships with others and the women in their lives. It is verryy well written. There's plenty of action to satisfy most people who like that while still dealing with their emotions and rational. I could not put this book down. The storyline and plot are very well woven in this book. I am not gong into depth on this book, as I do not want to spoil the book for those interested in reading it. Suffice to say that I highly recommend this book for those who would enjoy it. I think that the reader's who are unsure about this book will be delightfully suprised. READ IT!!!
April 15, 2018
I enjoyed this book when the author was engaged in battle and/or talking about it. I learned much of the Hurricane and its characteristics, but the story line of three companions and brothers tended to leave me adrift. One was never quite sure whose POV was involved. The family was interesting, but I could not accept the prudishness shown by the pilots. Yes, it was another time and place and the pilots had girl friends, but they had to go to a hooker to obtain any satisfaction. That does not sound right to me. Pilots are notoriously aggressive both in the air and on the ground and with each having a girl ripe for the taking, they did not partake. Unrealistic. Kudos nevertheless for Mr. Bickers. He did things few others have accomplished, including writing a lot of books about his experiences.
January 12, 2019
It jumped into the action quickly and stayed there. I enjoyed the book but found myself lost a time or two as it could have used a new chapter rather than just a different paragraph or one with some stars.
I must say that I am new to this genera and to a lot of the British slang. I had to do some homework on the side a time or two to determine what type of aircraft it was.
I ended the book feeling a bit more educated about the history and the people.
I must say that I am new to this genera and to a lot of the British slang. I had to do some homework on the side a time or two to determine what type of aircraft it was.
I ended the book feeling a bit more educated about the history and the people.
October 2, 2018
I enjoyed most of this book, right up until the end, and I do mean the end. Not my idea of how to end this book, with no indication that there would be any follow up, and just leaving all the characters hanging. I know this is a book about the RAF but sometimes the British lingo gets a little tiresome. I am hoping there is a follow up????
December 5, 2018
Excellent Real Life War Novel!
Vickers does a masterful job of bringing to life WWII characters, scenes and events in a most enjoyable and informative manner. Topping off the value is his accurate (likely firsthand experience) technical aviation terms and techniques that too many authors give no attention to; adding total credibility to the story.
Vickers does a masterful job of bringing to life WWII characters, scenes and events in a most enjoyable and informative manner. Topping off the value is his accurate (likely firsthand experience) technical aviation terms and techniques that too many authors give no attention to; adding total credibility to the story.
September 5, 2020
☺
World war two is about to break out and brothers James and Christopher along with their cousin Roger are in the RAF.
Story entails the trials and tribulations of war. Ariel combat and the chances of survival. Hardships and horrors of war take there toll. Young love, friends and family.The
A good read but it was a tad slow until the action started to hit. Written well though.
World war two is about to break out and brothers James and Christopher along with their cousin Roger are in the RAF.
Story entails the trials and tribulations of war. Ariel combat and the chances of survival. Hardships and horrors of war take there toll. Young love, friends and family.The
A good read but it was a tad slow until the action started to hit. Written well though.
April 12, 2018
What was there was good, but it just stopped
I got to an interesting point with the three boys, and just stopped, no notation of continuation, JUST STOPPED, WHAT HAPPENEDVWITH DAPHNE AND NICOLE? AND TUG???
I got to an interesting point with the three boys, and just stopped, no notation of continuation, JUST STOPPED, WHAT HAPPENEDVWITH DAPHNE AND NICOLE? AND TUG???
April 12, 2018
Good story, keeps interest with various air battles
Good story, keeps interest with various air battles. Following the battles of the British Air officers and sergeants kept moving the story page by page.
Good story, keeps interest with various air battles. Following the battles of the British Air officers and sergeants kept moving the story page by page.
March 27, 2020
While the content of the book was good it was presented in a manner to make it a slow read. It appeared to be historically correct. If there had been a closer physical connection for James in the beginning it might have made the read go faster.
April 11, 2018
Good read
A good story and characters of the R.A.F. during WWII telling of hurricanes and other war planes and their pilots and crews
A good story and characters of the R.A.F. during WWII telling of hurricanes and other war planes and their pilots and crews
April 20, 2018
Enjoyable read set in during the Battle of Britain but not compelling enough to move onto the next book.
August 17, 2018
Not bad
Okay nothing great, have read better. Would have liked more stuff about flying, less about love life of different characters.
Okay nothing great, have read better. Would have liked more stuff about flying, less about love life of different characters.
October 6, 2019
Worth the 5 stars
Good story written by someone who experienced war in the air and all that went with it including the camaraderie .
Good story written by someone who experienced war in the air and all that went with it including the camaraderie .
June 22, 2020
Great read
The heroics of British airmen during the war is a thing that needs to be remembered for ever and the author does a wonderful job of taking his readers into the action
The heroics of British airmen during the war is a thing that needs to be remembered for ever and the author does a wonderful job of taking his readers into the action
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews