Provocation

by David Gledhill

With tensions rising in post-war Europe, the Soviet Union closed the air corridors to Berlin, the former German capital, in a bid to starve the population into submission. The western allies responded by mounting the largest air supply operation the world had ever seen which would become known as the “Berlin Airlift”. Step forward into the 1980s with the Cold War at its height. A NATO reinforcement exercise held at a British airbase in West Germany, brings British, American and French fighter crews together to practice the air corridor policing mission. When a Pembroke transport aircraft engaged in a covert reconnaissance mission is intercepted by a Mig fighter and forced to land in East Germany, events escalate. Will the crew become a pawn in the relentless confrontation as the Soviets increase the rhetoric? Have western military plans been compromised by the unexpected aggression?Provocation is a fast moving thriller that replays the tensions of the Cold War and its dark undertones. As with his other novels, David Gledhill takes you into the cockpit of the Phantom fighter jet to experience the action first hand.

270 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2015

About the author

Dave joined the Royal Air Force as a Navigator in 1973. After training, he flew the F4 Phantom on squadrons in the UK and West Germany. He was one of the first aircrew to fly the F2 and F3 Air Defence Variant of the Tornado on its acceptance into service and served for many years as an instructor on the Operational Conversion Units of both the Phantom and the Tornado. He commanded the Tornado Fighter Squadron in the Falkland Islands and has worked extensively with the Armed Forces of most NATO nations. He published his first book "Phantom In Focus" through Fonthill Media in 2012 and has since published 2 more factual books and 3 novels, all aviation related stories.

Reviews

[Michael Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of intrigue, well written, I could see each battle as it progressed.

[Philip Pearson]

Excellent read. Written by an author who knows his subject and has clearly has experience in his field.

[Snakeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good Cold war thriller....all the better for the presence of the F-4 Phantom and crews !

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provocation(Phantom Air Combat #2)

Most individuals today have no personal experience concerning Berlin as a divided city covering the 40 plus years after WWII ended, nor the extraordinary tension between the USSR and the western allies. The expression "Loose lips sink ships," took on a whole new meaning during the "Cold War era." The men and women of the military forces were constantly under surveillance by the eastern block of the USSR. Thanks for another great read and enlightenment about the lives of those affected by those times.