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Innocent No More #3
Heat of Autumn
Squadron Leader Thomas Stark is stationed on the south coast near Beachy Head in July 1940. The squadron is protecting the convoys using the Channel, all the while waiting for the great Battle to commence.
Invasion is highly unlikely, but Goering thinks it can be done, and Hitler hopes the threat will make possible a political solution to the War in the West.
The RAF is split by internal conflicts – the peacetime professionals ranged against the many pilots who had experience in China and Spain, flying modern aircraft against the Luftwaffe in the latter case. The RAF had bitter experience during the Fall of France, which many senior officers prefer to ignore. There is still open war between those who support the Fighting Area Attacks and the fliers who saw action.
As the Battle of Britain slowly commences, Thomas is in the thick of the fight, leading his pilots in a war that cannot be won and must not be lost. There are too few of them, growing increasingly tired and battle fatigued – but they must fly.
Invasion is highly unlikely, but Goering thinks it can be done, and Hitler hopes the threat will make possible a political solution to the War in the West.
The RAF is split by internal conflicts – the peacetime professionals ranged against the many pilots who had experience in China and Spain, flying modern aircraft against the Luftwaffe in the latter case. The RAF had bitter experience during the Fall of France, which many senior officers prefer to ignore. There is still open war between those who support the Fighting Area Attacks and the fliers who saw action.
As the Battle of Britain slowly commences, Thomas is in the thick of the fight, leading his pilots in a war that cannot be won and must not be lost. There are too few of them, growing increasingly tired and battle fatigued – but they must fly.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2020
384 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 4, 2024
A solid entry in the series, this one covers the Battle of Britain. Our pilots seem confused about what is happening and are incredibly critical of every single thing that Churchill does -- probably normal for troops who have no idea what is going on at a strategic level but still doubtful at the time. Wareham finally reveals why Thomas Stark was in Spain fighting for the Communists (a girl) and manages to actually criticize Communism as well.
This book fails to capture the fear and desperation that the English felt during the Battle of Britain, much less the severe fuel shortages and how England was nearly out of the stuff when the Germans gave up trying to invade. By the end, Stark is in a Spitfire (finally) but the truth is, there were more kills by Hurricanes than Spitfires in the Battle of Britain so it made sense for our hero to be in the old Hurry.
This book fails to capture the fear and desperation that the English felt during the Battle of Britain, much less the severe fuel shortages and how England was nearly out of the stuff when the Germans gave up trying to invade. By the end, Stark is in a Spitfire (finally) but the truth is, there were more kills by Hurricanes than Spitfires in the Battle of Britain so it made sense for our hero to be in the old Hurry.
August 16, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this series - especially the insight into the "Politics" of WW11 and of the attitudes and weaknesses of the then so-called leaders. These insights for me added a more balanced view to the propaganda and lies that was constantly fed to the people. I also appreciated the fact that the author portrayed the pilots as ordinary people, also with human traits and weaknesses - and not just "Brylcreem Boys" of the correct social class - they were trained to kill and there was no excuse for not doing so. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Peter Aldhamland 17/08/2020
Peter Aldhamland 17/08/2020
March 26, 2021
A Great Transitional Tale From The Air War in WWI To Spain & China To The Battle of Brittain.
This novel maintains history while telling it through fictional characters, representative of many that pioneered flight in the militaries of world powers, especially England. The characters are appealing enough to keep you following them with high interest. Politics & Politicians in those days were motivated by self interest as they are today.
This novel maintains history while telling it through fictional characters, representative of many that pioneered flight in the militaries of world powers, especially England. The characters are appealing enough to keep you following them with high interest. Politics & Politicians in those days were motivated by self interest as they are today.
April 4, 2023
Battle born
Detailed narratives. Thomas seems prescient in his viewpoint. Google mum on German pilots’ defections. Stuka has fixed landing carriage, so hands up would not be enough to signal capitulation. Other details of tactics impressive.kill or be killed in air. Formation flying to survive, Surviving upper crust idiots who espouse a reality that was invented on The Round Table, but perhaps knights in that era had a better grasp of reality
Detailed narratives. Thomas seems prescient in his viewpoint. Google mum on German pilots’ defections. Stuka has fixed landing carriage, so hands up would not be enough to signal capitulation. Other details of tactics impressive.kill or be killed in air. Formation flying to survive, Surviving upper crust idiots who espouse a reality that was invented on The Round Table, but perhaps knights in that era had a better grasp of reality
September 19, 2021
Good story but a Kindle issue
Read on Amazon Kindle.. Good read but it is a series and after finishing first book Amazon wanted me to purchase second book. I already pay for Kindle Unlimited
This is the second or third time I've started a series and they want me to.but the next volume
Getting ready to.can Kindle
Read on Amazon Kindle.. Good read but it is a series and after finishing first book Amazon wanted me to purchase second book. I already pay for Kindle Unlimited
This is the second or third time I've started a series and they want me to.but the next volume
Getting ready to.can Kindle
October 14, 2022
writes to a formula, same story, modified with different facts.
Author tells the same story (Shakespeare said there were only ?# of stories) this author sticks to one, modifying it with different (and well researched factoids). I like them, especially little know technical information, especially about weapons and tactics.
Author tells the same story (Shakespeare said there were only ?# of stories) this author sticks to one, modifying it with different (and well researched factoids). I like them, especially little know technical information, especially about weapons and tactics.
August 8, 2020
End and the Beginning
Once again another outstanding ing and well written book by Mr.Wareham. His books are historical and the characters are real. I have been reading the series and enjoyed every moment. Look forward to his next novel with Squadron Leader Stark.
Once again another outstanding ing and well written book by Mr.Wareham. His books are historical and the characters are real. I have been reading the series and enjoyed every moment. Look forward to his next novel with Squadron Leader Stark.
August 14, 2020
Good series
Very good story with great personalities. The story flows easily and portrays the WAF in the Battle of Britain keeping fairly well to history. I have really enjoyed this trilogy and boo there will be a fourth book to continue they to the end of WW2.
Very good story with great personalities. The story flows easily and portrays the WAF in the Battle of Britain keeping fairly well to history. I have really enjoyed this trilogy and boo there will be a fourth book to continue they to the end of WW2.
August 25, 2020
Yet another winner from Andrew Wareham! Thank goodness he is such an incredibly prolific writer! After spending thirty years in the US Navy, including time as an aviator and two tours in Vietnam, command of a frigate and a squadron of destroyers, I can attest to the realism of his writing! BZ!
September 7, 2020
Excellent
I have read many books on the WWII RAF. This series brought out a lot of information on the politics in England that many books hinted at but never followed up. Found it very interesting and opened my eyes to other books I have read. Sorry the series is at an end.
I have read many books on the WWII RAF. This series brought out a lot of information on the politics in England that many books hinted at but never followed up. Found it very interesting and opened my eyes to other books I have read. Sorry the series is at an end.
October 28, 2020
theKeeps you coming for more.
Enjoyed the presentation of the story. The history of the different planes in use on both sides and there pros and cons. The revelation of hindrance of the war effort by politicians and others.
Enjoyed the presentation of the story. The history of the different planes in use on both sides and there pros and cons. The revelation of hindrance of the war effort by politicians and others.
November 14, 2023
WWII continues
WWII continues as does the adventures of Squadron Commander Thomas Stark. This book covers action through the German blitz on England and how the English fight to remain a force to be reconed with.
WWII continues as does the adventures of Squadron Commander Thomas Stark. This book covers action through the German blitz on England and how the English fight to remain a force to be reconed with.
July 7, 2024
A story jam packed with action.
The author has done an excellent job of describing the air war in the southern cost of England as their Air Force effectively wardens off the German early aerial assault. Full of excitement and enjoyable reading.
The author has done an excellent job of describing the air war in the southern cost of England as their Air Force effectively wardens off the German early aerial assault. Full of excitement and enjoyable reading.
August 26, 2024
somehow missed book 3 in the series
Andrew Wareham is just great, I read anything he writes. Did this series a few years ago and apparently Kindle knew that.
A good read for the period of the Battle of Britain.
Andrew Wareham is just great, I read anything he writes. Did this series a few years ago and apparently Kindle knew that.
A good read for the period of the Battle of Britain.
December 1, 2024
Getting Better
Even though this series is rather slow paced…the action in this book is definitely increased. It’s no wonder, since it was heading into the Battle of Britain. This book and series continues to entertain.
Even though this series is rather slow paced…the action in this book is definitely increased. It’s no wonder, since it was heading into the Battle of Britain. This book and series continues to entertain.
July 11, 2020
Keep it up!
I like the style of narrative, and the constant derogation of necessary but generally incomprehensible authority appeals to my “Bolshevik” side.
I like the style of narrative, and the constant derogation of necessary but generally incomprehensible authority appeals to my “Bolshevik” side.
July 30, 2020
Light on the technicals
A good read but light on technical content. Deeper technics
carry a story well in my opinion. Gives a sense of deeper author knowledge.
A good read but light on technical content. Deeper technics
carry a story well in my opinion. Gives a sense of deeper author knowledge.
September 18, 2020
Good read
Good from beginning to end. Fast paced, great characters. If you're a fan of air war you'll like this book.
Good from beginning to end. Fast paced, great characters. If you're a fan of air war you'll like this book.
October 26, 2020
A World War Two air experience
The action was with aircraft in the early part of the war, before the United States becoming involved. Very interesting.
The action was with aircraft in the early part of the war, before the United States becoming involved. Very interesting.
January 9, 2021
Most honest story.
The conversations are just right pulling the reader in rather than leaving one outside observing.
Perhaps a little too too much 2020 in 1940.
The conversations are just right pulling the reader in rather than leaving one outside observing.
Perhaps a little too too much 2020 in 1940.
June 2, 2021
A great yarn
Again a great story takes you back to 1941 ,it shows how much we owe them young men ,brought to life in a gripping book
Again a great story takes you back to 1941 ,it shows how much we owe them young men ,brought to life in a gripping book
July 3, 2021
Getting better and better with each installment
March 27, 2024
good review of the Battle of Britain
While some of the high jinx are not believable, the basis of the pilots is good to read. It’s hard to allow for the casual loss of pilots.
While some of the high jinx are not believable, the basis of the pilots is good to read. It’s hard to allow for the casual loss of pilots.
September 2, 2020
The book gave me a realistic account of what it was like for R.A.F pilots during the battle of Britain. I also enjoyed the dry humor evident in the discourse between pilots and brass.
January 21, 2023
Great read
Thoroughly enjoyed reading wareham's tale of the Battle of Britain. Holds no punches, everyone is up for criticism,politicians,the enemy,the old guard. Read it for a more balanced view of the conflict.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading wareham's tale of the Battle of Britain. Holds no punches, everyone is up for criticism,politicians,the enemy,the old guard. Read it for a more balanced view of the conflict.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews