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The Crew: The Story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew
The Crew , based on interviews with Ken Cook, the crew’s sole surviving member, recounts the wartime exploits of the members of an Avro Lancaster crew between 1942 and the war’s end. Gloucestershire-born bomb aimer Ken Cook, Australian pilot Jim Comans, Navigator Don Bowes, Upper Gunner George Widdis, Tail Gunner "Jock" Bolland, Flight Engineer Ken Randle and Radio Operator Roy Woollford were seven ordinary young men risking their lives in the dark skies above Hitler’s Reich. From their earliest beginnings through training in North America and the danger of the 45 bombing raids they flew with 97 Squadron, David Price describes the crew’s wartime experiences with human sympathy allied to a technical understanding of one of the RAF’s most iconic aircraft. The drama and anxiety of individual missions—to Kassel, Munich and Augsburg as well as Berlin—is evoked with thrilling immediacy; while the military events and strategic decisions are interwoven deftly with the narrative of the crew’s operational careers.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 20, 2020
David Price takes the reader inside a Lancaster bomber high over the skies of occupied Europe during the Second World War. His main focus is on that of the Coman Crew of which Ken Cook (a primary source) was the bomb aimer. However, the reader is regularly taken away from this single crew to explore wider events and happenings going on at the squadron level. All too often we are introduced to an aircraft or an odd-bod (someone that fills in on a crew) only to find out how they were lost a paragraph later.
This book is not a technical analysis of the raids of one crew or one squadron. Nor is it a strategic analysis of the bombing campaign and ethical issues that swirl around it to this day. The Crew is, as it is stated in the title, a story. A story which is retold by engaging description by David Price. The chronology is, at times, difficult to follow but the content is interesting and varied. For the every day reader this is a great place to dip their toes into the history of the bomber war without becoming bogged down in the many technical and strategic changes during the conflict.
This book is not a technical analysis of the raids of one crew or one squadron. Nor is it a strategic analysis of the bombing campaign and ethical issues that swirl around it to this day. The Crew is, as it is stated in the title, a story. A story which is retold by engaging description by David Price. The chronology is, at times, difficult to follow but the content is interesting and varied. For the every day reader this is a great place to dip their toes into the history of the bomber war without becoming bogged down in the many technical and strategic changes during the conflict.
February 23, 2021
This was a very powerful and important book, showing the struggles physically, scientifically and psychologically of the airmen. It explores the morality in a balanced way and seems very open in its tone.
My only criticism is that some things are assumed knowledge that I would have liked explained, and I would have liked more information on the workings and parts of the aircraft. That said, it did inspire me to do my own research.
If you're considering reading this, just do it. It's a really interesting insight.
My only criticism is that some things are assumed knowledge that I would have liked explained, and I would have liked more information on the workings and parts of the aircraft. That said, it did inspire me to do my own research.
If you're considering reading this, just do it. It's a really interesting insight.
October 24, 2024
A mixed bag of a book both good and not so.
Firstly what should be stated is that this book isn't so much about a 'Crew' of a Lancaster Bomber, but so much more. That in itself may already knock stars off a rating, though some others will like it.
I suspect if you are reading this book you are a fan of the subject and as such won't mind the at times random tangents the book goes on. I wasn't expecting a whole section on 'The Jet Age' for example and as such this did test my patience with the book.
The book is also poorly edited huge long winded chapters and paragraphs to boot and in point of this its the first and only book that has confused my kindle into the reading time of the chapters (the kindle didn't detect when a chapter ended as there were so many sub chapters).
There are also typo's Ken Randle is listed as being on a flight despite being on leave (its things like this which frustrate me). Randle also seems to be omitted from the final run in as well.
A note on 'The Crew' element - the book very loosely follows the story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew. The problem is at the time of the Authors research only one member is either still alive. There is some artist license given to the description of others (I don't particularly mind that). But its not the whole story. The author clearly has a passion for the subject and I wish there was more time given to some of the other roles.
And yet this book is one of the more human reads on WW2 that I have read (Hastings and Beevor take note), its clear that there is a lot of research has gone into the subject of this. There are parts of this book which are wonderfully descriptive and I give credit to the author for that. It certainly makes you feel and think of the men and their actions despite the limited sources.
Its an interest opening quote that these people were not necessarily people but more likely ordinary people who did extraordinary things. The subject of bomber command is a sensitive one and the author does attempt to redress the balance at the end of the book - kudos there as well, its a moral dilemma that the author has thought a lot about.
I would now visit the sites of the former airfields of Barney, Bourn and Coningsby as well as visiting the Bomber Command memorial, a book that can do this is a good thing - I just wish it followed the narrative of the title.
There are probably 2 or 3 books within this one book alone, again if you are reading material like this - you could well like that but it was very difficult at times.
Nevertheless its good to have something like this on the subject but I would set a challenge for the author to reedit this - dedicate the story to the actual crew if possibly with further information on the aircrews (Erks) and support staff - they too were also part of the picture.
In short summary, tough at times but glad I got there.
On a personal note - started and finished in Devon, only stopped to read other material for Holidays.
Firstly what should be stated is that this book isn't so much about a 'Crew' of a Lancaster Bomber, but so much more. That in itself may already knock stars off a rating, though some others will like it.
I suspect if you are reading this book you are a fan of the subject and as such won't mind the at times random tangents the book goes on. I wasn't expecting a whole section on 'The Jet Age' for example and as such this did test my patience with the book.
The book is also poorly edited huge long winded chapters and paragraphs to boot and in point of this its the first and only book that has confused my kindle into the reading time of the chapters (the kindle didn't detect when a chapter ended as there were so many sub chapters).
There are also typo's Ken Randle is listed as being on a flight despite being on leave (its things like this which frustrate me). Randle also seems to be omitted from the final run in as well.
A note on 'The Crew' element - the book very loosely follows the story of a Lancaster Bomber Crew. The problem is at the time of the Authors research only one member is either still alive. There is some artist license given to the description of others (I don't particularly mind that). But its not the whole story. The author clearly has a passion for the subject and I wish there was more time given to some of the other roles.
And yet this book is one of the more human reads on WW2 that I have read (Hastings and Beevor take note), its clear that there is a lot of research has gone into the subject of this. There are parts of this book which are wonderfully descriptive and I give credit to the author for that. It certainly makes you feel and think of the men and their actions despite the limited sources.
Its an interest opening quote that these people were not necessarily people but more likely ordinary people who did extraordinary things. The subject of bomber command is a sensitive one and the author does attempt to redress the balance at the end of the book - kudos there as well, its a moral dilemma that the author has thought a lot about.
I would now visit the sites of the former airfields of Barney, Bourn and Coningsby as well as visiting the Bomber Command memorial, a book that can do this is a good thing - I just wish it followed the narrative of the title.
There are probably 2 or 3 books within this one book alone, again if you are reading material like this - you could well like that but it was very difficult at times.
Nevertheless its good to have something like this on the subject but I would set a challenge for the author to reedit this - dedicate the story to the actual crew if possibly with further information on the aircrews (Erks) and support staff - they too were also part of the picture.
In short summary, tough at times but glad I got there.
On a personal note - started and finished in Devon, only stopped to read other material for Holidays.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
Well-crafted and with a recommendable ability to connect the micro-level of the bomber crew with the operational and strategic context - including the maintenance and logistic foundation
November 23, 2021
Insightful, thorough, fascinating. Essential history.
October 21, 2022
I saw this book on the bookshelf of a well known bookstore in London, and picked it up without having heard anything about it. It ticks most of the boxes for me, at least on the surface and, living as I do in the US, books with a particularly British slant are harder to find. I had high hopes for it as I have read and enjoyed a number of books about WW2, particularly the air war. I did enjoy it very much but I confess to some disappointment in the style and structure.
Having read fairly widely on this topic, but still woefully under informed, I picked this up to learn more about the life of a bomber crew. The day to day grind, the fear, perhaps the exhilaration, the crushing sense of loss when colleagues failed to return, the horror of war etc. I did get some of this to be fair, but I found the narrative a little disjointed as the story of these men was interwoven with an attempt to explain how the air war developed and I felt that, as a result, it fell rather between these two stools.
Also, over the 350 or so pages, there are crews who pop in and out which is fine, I assume this is a metaphor for the way crew came and went and were sadly killed. However, I would have liked to see some of this fleshed out rather more as it sometimes appeared that these were just thrown in and caused the text to become disjointed, at least to me. There didn't seem to be a coherent flow. I compare this to books I have read about World War 1. Some of them are strategic conversations about aspects of the war ("The Guns of August" for example) others are examinations of the experience of those fighting or left at home ("Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front"). "The Crew" seemed to try and combine the two approaches and whilst there were elements of interest in both, it didn't hang together that well for me.
Having read fairly widely on this topic, but still woefully under informed, I picked this up to learn more about the life of a bomber crew. The day to day grind, the fear, perhaps the exhilaration, the crushing sense of loss when colleagues failed to return, the horror of war etc. I did get some of this to be fair, but I found the narrative a little disjointed as the story of these men was interwoven with an attempt to explain how the air war developed and I felt that, as a result, it fell rather between these two stools.
Also, over the 350 or so pages, there are crews who pop in and out which is fine, I assume this is a metaphor for the way crew came and went and were sadly killed. However, I would have liked to see some of this fleshed out rather more as it sometimes appeared that these were just thrown in and caused the text to become disjointed, at least to me. There didn't seem to be a coherent flow. I compare this to books I have read about World War 1. Some of them are strategic conversations about aspects of the war ("The Guns of August" for example) others are examinations of the experience of those fighting or left at home ("Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front"). "The Crew" seemed to try and combine the two approaches and whilst there were elements of interest in both, it didn't hang together that well for me.
December 18, 2025
The Crew is a profoundly moving and meticulously researched tribute to the men of RAF Bomber Command, bringing humanity, courage, and individuality to a chapter of World War II history too often reduced to statistics. Drawing from extensive interviews with Ken Cook the crew’s sole surviving member David Price reconstructs the lived experience of seven young airmen who flew into the most dangerous skies of the war aboard an Avro Lancaster.
What sets this book apart is its balance of technical precision and emotional resonance. Price’s deep understanding of the Lancaster bomber and Bomber Command operations grounds the narrative, while his focus on the personal backgrounds of each crew member spanning a Cotswold village to suburban Sydney ensures that readers never lose sight of the human cost behind each mission. Every raid, from Kassel and Augsburg to Berlin itself, is rendered with immediacy and tension, capturing the relentless anxiety of night operations over Nazi Germany.
Equally powerful is the book’s moral and historical context. Price does not shy away from the controversy surrounding the RAF’s area bombing campaign, instead weaving strategic decisions into the crew’s story with sensitivity and clarity. The result is a work that honors bravery without romanticizing war, offering a deeply respectful, human-scale account of sacrifice, camaraderie, and endurance. The Crew stands as an essential read for anyone seeking to understand World War II through the eyes of those who lived it, mission by mission, night after night.
What sets this book apart is its balance of technical precision and emotional resonance. Price’s deep understanding of the Lancaster bomber and Bomber Command operations grounds the narrative, while his focus on the personal backgrounds of each crew member spanning a Cotswold village to suburban Sydney ensures that readers never lose sight of the human cost behind each mission. Every raid, from Kassel and Augsburg to Berlin itself, is rendered with immediacy and tension, capturing the relentless anxiety of night operations over Nazi Germany.
Equally powerful is the book’s moral and historical context. Price does not shy away from the controversy surrounding the RAF’s area bombing campaign, instead weaving strategic decisions into the crew’s story with sensitivity and clarity. The result is a work that honors bravery without romanticizing war, offering a deeply respectful, human-scale account of sacrifice, camaraderie, and endurance. The Crew stands as an essential read for anyone seeking to understand World War II through the eyes of those who lived it, mission by mission, night after night.
August 18, 2020
Deserves five stars. The human perspective of a Lancaster crew ably set against the background of WW2 bomber command.
A painstakingly researched account of the development of bombers from WW1 to the end of WW2 and of the strategic and tactical employment of those aeroplanes.
Whist the bombing campaign of 1939 to 1945 gives a background to the narrative, perhaps more importantly, the work explores the lives of one Lancaster crew in particular.
My father's wartime service included his leading his battery of 25 pounders down through Burma. At the same time a Canadian-born aviator, who became one of my father's good friends, was captaining his Lancaster through the night time skies of Europe. John occasionally recounted parts of these terrifying and exhilarating episodes and reading 'The Crew' has given an unexpected additional and human perspective to those all too brief discourses.
I would recommend the book to all with an interest in military history and especially to those who have had the privilege of knowing bomber command pilots and aircrew.
A painstakingly researched account of the development of bombers from WW1 to the end of WW2 and of the strategic and tactical employment of those aeroplanes.
Whist the bombing campaign of 1939 to 1945 gives a background to the narrative, perhaps more importantly, the work explores the lives of one Lancaster crew in particular.
My father's wartime service included his leading his battery of 25 pounders down through Burma. At the same time a Canadian-born aviator, who became one of my father's good friends, was captaining his Lancaster through the night time skies of Europe. John occasionally recounted parts of these terrifying and exhilarating episodes and reading 'The Crew' has given an unexpected additional and human perspective to those all too brief discourses.
I would recommend the book to all with an interest in military history and especially to those who have had the privilege of knowing bomber command pilots and aircrew.
June 9, 2020
Very readable and informative
I couldn't put this book down. My father was in the pathfinder squadron he was flight engineer stationed at Downham Market flying lancs. It was as if I was following his career. I live 6 miles from Woodall spa so know the area well and that's what makes the book all the more interesting. He also suffered from ptsd for all of his life as a result of his experiences .he was shot down on 4th April 1945 the day after his 22nd birthday he parachuted out of his plane over the north sea and was picked up by the Germans off the coast of Holland and spent the last six weeks of the war as prisoner of war.
He went on to have 8children im the eldest he died in 2003
I couldn't put this book down. My father was in the pathfinder squadron he was flight engineer stationed at Downham Market flying lancs. It was as if I was following his career. I live 6 miles from Woodall spa so know the area well and that's what makes the book all the more interesting. He also suffered from ptsd for all of his life as a result of his experiences .he was shot down on 4th April 1945 the day after his 22nd birthday he parachuted out of his plane over the north sea and was picked up by the Germans off the coast of Holland and spent the last six weeks of the war as prisoner of war.
He went on to have 8children im the eldest he died in 2003
July 25, 2020
Thoroughly well researched history. Magnificent.
David Price has produce a well written and considered book detailing the experiences of a bomber crew at war. The book however is so much more than that as it looks at the history of the bombing campaign from many diverse angles.
An extremely rewarding read that will captivate those new to the subject as well as those familiar with the air war over Europe. I highly recommend this well researched, informative and enthralling history.
I look forward in reading more from this excellent author who's accessible prose holds its own in equal measure to Beaver, Hastings and other great historians of our age.
Truly magnificent in its scope and detail.
David Price has produce a well written and considered book detailing the experiences of a bomber crew at war. The book however is so much more than that as it looks at the history of the bombing campaign from many diverse angles.
An extremely rewarding read that will captivate those new to the subject as well as those familiar with the air war over Europe. I highly recommend this well researched, informative and enthralling history.
I look forward in reading more from this excellent author who's accessible prose holds its own in equal measure to Beaver, Hastings and other great historians of our age.
Truly magnificent in its scope and detail.
Read
February 3, 2021Great book, i,ve read very many books centred on aircrew from the bombing campaign in WW2 and this is definately one of the better ones. Its a compelling read, almost novel like but of real life circumstance. It doesnt just centre on the main crew but diverts into surrounding stories that brush alongside 'our' crew, this adds pace and interest to the timeline. It allows the author to cover a wide range of events to capture both the facts at hand as well as creating atmosphere and adding to the horror.
As with any good factual book there is a comprehensive section at the rear of the book stating where the source material as come from. In itself its worth a read.
As with any good factual book there is a comprehensive section at the rear of the book stating where the source material as come from. In itself its worth a read.
October 30, 2021
An interesting account of a Lancaster Bomber and its crew. I did find the facts and their 'linking up' in the first couple of chapters fragmented and overly complicated, but from chapter 3 onwards the story becomes more cohesive. I also found some of the detail irrelevant to the actual story. Even though the crew come from different parts of the world, their family backgrounds are not that integral to the actual story and could have been cropped a little. The bravery of these young pilots and their crew is remarkable, and we should never forget how they put their lives on the line every single day they were in flight.
August 11, 2020
A tribute to the men of Bomber Command, WW2.
An uncle of mine was a master bomb-aimer, killed just prior to the end of WW2. He was always a hero to me. I am attempting to write the history of my father (Royal Marines) during WW2, but with virtually no help from military sources, it is very difficult. This book was beautifully written, portraying empathy with those of whom it is about. I loved reading it. Thank you, and congratulations.
An uncle of mine was a master bomb-aimer, killed just prior to the end of WW2. He was always a hero to me. I am attempting to write the history of my father (Royal Marines) during WW2, but with virtually no help from military sources, it is very difficult. This book was beautifully written, portraying empathy with those of whom it is about. I loved reading it. Thank you, and congratulations.
January 25, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. Loads of information and insight into the day to day lives of the crew of a Lancaster bomber. Touching record of the high casualty rate both during attacks and accidents close to home. Also some consideration for the target communities.
Another point of interest are the references and additional information about Wing commander Guy Gibson, as this is an undoubtable reference point for all Lancaster fans.
Another point of interest are the references and additional information about Wing commander Guy Gibson, as this is an undoubtable reference point for all Lancaster fans.
March 19, 2021
David Price has come up with a superbly atmospheric history of ordinary men doing an extaordinary job during the latter years of World War II. His detailed research has enabled him to give an insight into the lives of a bomber crew under pressures that I find difficult to imagine.
This is more than a book for historians of the RAF and of Bomber Command, it is a book for people with a connection to Lincolnshire and people who can compare the present day with the lives of young men 70 years ago.
This is more than a book for historians of the RAF and of Bomber Command, it is a book for people with a connection to Lincolnshire and people who can compare the present day with the lives of young men 70 years ago.
September 9, 2021
A marvellous book
I thought I knew a fair amount about heavy bombing in WW2 but this book widened my knowledge considerably. It is a finely tuned account which deftly mixes personal accounts and the wider context of the conflict. The hardship suffered by the young men sent to drop high explosives on distant targets is only matched by their bravery and fortitude. The research undertaken is excited excellent and the writing style very accessible.
I thought I knew a fair amount about heavy bombing in WW2 but this book widened my knowledge considerably. It is a finely tuned account which deftly mixes personal accounts and the wider context of the conflict. The hardship suffered by the young men sent to drop high explosives on distant targets is only matched by their bravery and fortitude. The research undertaken is excited excellent and the writing style very accessible.
June 5, 2020
A good book but about 50% about the RAF strategy and equipment rather than as billed about 1 crew.
To be fair before he began wruting only 1 crew member was still alive, hampering interviews and log books etc are epically brief, so the author was up against it. Some interior photos of the aircraft and parts on how easy or difficult each crew member's wirk was would have better filled it out.
To be fair before he began wruting only 1 crew member was still alive, hampering interviews and log books etc are epically brief, so the author was up against it. Some interior photos of the aircraft and parts on how easy or difficult each crew member's wirk was would have better filled it out.
February 19, 2021
What a story
To read about a crew that survived there tour was a true story of courage and determination to keep going and stay together. The extra parts were a good history lesson learning about both sides and the continuation of Kens career after and that we were still using equipment he used in the war.
To read about a crew that survived there tour was a true story of courage and determination to keep going and stay together. The extra parts were a good history lesson learning about both sides and the continuation of Kens career after and that we were still using equipment he used in the war.
January 5, 2021
Excellent account of Bomber Command
Very accurate and detailed account of operations and human experiences. I found the overlapping chronology of events a bit difficult to assimilate
Very accurate and detailed account of operations and human experiences. I found the overlapping chronology of events a bit difficult to assimilate
March 21, 2021
Enjoyable and accessible story about a WWII bomber crew. Told in straightforward fashion with vivid descriptions of bombing Germany and the constant threat of being shot down... not always by the other side.
April 17, 2021
Very evocative
The book gets off to a slow start but once it is in the air it is really flying.You get some idea as to what it was like to fly on these missions.They were brave men,it is a pity they were lead by Harris ,a deluded maniac..
The book gets off to a slow start but once it is in the air it is really flying.You get some idea as to what it was like to fly on these missions.They were brave men,it is a pity they were lead by Harris ,a deluded maniac..
April 30, 2021
How we won the airs
Another book on the life and times flying a bomber during the second world war,the dangers and not knowing if you would make it back home. A first rate account and a worth a read .
Another book on the life and times flying a bomber during the second world war,the dangers and not knowing if you would make it back home. A first rate account and a worth a read .
October 11, 2021
Gripping read
This is a meticulously researched, informative account of RAF Bomber Command's offensive against Germany. David Price gives a balanced, stripped down view of those terrible years of war. A fascinating read.
This is a meticulously researched, informative account of RAF Bomber Command's offensive against Germany. David Price gives a balanced, stripped down view of those terrible years of war. A fascinating read.
March 6, 2022
Quite a book never realised how much we owe to the bomber crews
I liked the detail the author has uncovered quite an achievement must have spent a very long time in research and the end result has been worth it.
I liked the detail the author has uncovered quite an achievement must have spent a very long time in research and the end result has been worth it.
September 16, 2022
The story of brave bomber crews. WW 11
An authentic account of a desperate time in the world history.
The young people who put their lives on the line every day to save us from a cruel regime should never be forgotten.
An authentic account of a desperate time in the world history.
The young people who put their lives on the line every day to save us from a cruel regime should never be forgotten.
November 30, 2023
Another excellent read! Casualty rates for these crews were ridiculous! Can’t imagine the fear level getting shot at from 20,000ft. These guys were next level bravery. Also neat that there is a Lancaster Bomber at the Calgary Aerospace museum that I’ve been inside!
August 2, 2020
A great insight into the life of an RAF bomber squad during WW2
October 20, 2020
Fascinating
Fascinating insight into the world of a WW2 bomber crew and the sheer terror they faced as such young men.
Fascinating insight into the world of a WW2 bomber crew and the sheer terror they faced as such young men.
November 3, 2020
A great historical review of the aircraft and those that flew it.
January 2, 2021
Very Informative and enthralling book
Very Informative and enthralling book reflecting the bravery of the men who took part in the raids during this period
Very Informative and enthralling book reflecting the bravery of the men who took part in the raids during this period
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews