Operation Fireball

by Richard Townshend Bickers

In the midst of WWII, the R.A.F. are battling to protect the country and eliminate all threats.

Rodney Stansfield is determined to fight for his country.

Even when injured in battle, he is adamant about getting back into a plane to continue his oath of protection.

Teaming up with a Canadian, they soon become friends and establish their own tally of achievements.

A competitive rivalry on the battlefield is soon created.

However, as the Canadian falls in love with Rodney’s sister, the rivalry on the battlefield soon pales in comparison.

Rodney is soon torn over whether to protect his sister’s heart or entrust that duty to the Canadian that is quickly proving his worth as both a friend and comrade.

Operation Fireball is a truly inspiring tale and ensures you appreciate the efforts our forces went to in order to protect their country.

Richard Townshend Bickers volunteered for the R.A.F. at the outbreak of World War II and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen. His experience has greatly shaped his writing career, during the course of which he has written more books about the R.A.F. and its predecessor, the R.F.C., than any other author, living or dead. Born in India and educated in England, he has travelled the world and lived in many different countries. He speaks and writes nine European and four oriental languages, and does his own research by interview and correspondence and in foreign archives. In addition to his novels, he has also written articles, short stories, and radio plays.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2016

About the author

Richard 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.

Reviews

[Robert Grace]

WW II air war from different points of view

Rather than war journals, this tells the experiences over four years of three people. One is a British fighter pilot, the second is his younger sister, and the third is a Canadian pilot. Their lives are intertwined as skills and experiences impact the war against Germany. It is engrossing and shows the personal aspect of war.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where’s the follow on

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Operation Fireball” eBook was published in 2016 (May, though the paper edition was published in 1980) and was written by Richard Townshend Bickers (https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ri...). Mr. Bickers has published nearly 60 books, mostly on World War II aircraft.

I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The novel is set in England during World War II. The primary characters are Stephanie Stansfield, her brother Rodney and their friend Ben Jordon.

The men are both RAF officers and go through many harrowing situations flying against the Germans. Jordon meets Stephanie through Rodney and the two soon fall in love. The men develop as friends and are competitive in what they are trying to accomplish. Soon Jordon is assigned to a new unit that is commanded by Rodney. They discretely train for a very dangerous secret mission.

I enjoyed the 6 hours I spent with this 224 page novel. I have read a couple of other books by Bickers and like his descriptions of life during World War II. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[Viragored · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my Kindle copy of this book came via a BookBub promo - and I'm glad it did.
The narrative kept me engaged, and was realistic enough to be believable - even if the heroic deeds done by the lead characters were stretching credibility a little. The characters were well drawn, although I did think (possibly wrongly) that the RAF 'Officer Class' vs 'Lower Ranks' might have been a little exaggerated.
Overall, a good story that I enjoyed, and I'll welcome any more of this author's books.

[Chris Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of excitement!

A great fictional account of what it might be like to pilot a fighter in WW2. The story is told through first person stories of three individuals. Once you get into the style it's an enjoyable read.