Sprog: A Novel of Bomber Command

by Malcolm Kelly

a rookie airman, forced to learn by doing.

Summer, 1941. They come from different places, and different lives, but they share a to fly. Eager to join the war in the skies over Europe, thousands of young men flock to Canada from all over Britain and the Commonwealth, and the United States -- all hoping to earn their pilots' wings. Before taking to the air, they must endure the challenges of the British Air Commonwealth Training Plan, which quickly turns them from boys into men, and from civilians into soldiers. Sprog takes us from Bomber Command's war, to the retreat from France, and to the peaceful but dangerous skies of Canada where these young men will discover themselves, and their destinies.Praise for Malcolm Kelly's

"It is remarkable that someone who did not live in that time has been able to recreate our lives as airmen in the Second World War in such detail." --Flying Officer Robert J. Middleton, Navigator, 431 (Iroquois) Squadron, No. 6 Group, Bomber Command

"What a terrific book. I had goosebumps. For Fletcher and the guys, and for all of them. It is so human, so real, so thoughtful, so invigorating. The dialogue is terrific. This American Army brat gets it. It is so damn good." --Lynne Russell, Author; former lead anchor, CNN

"Amazing! Every section had me glued ... grabbed me right to the gut. Malcolm puts us right in the middle of the chaos and shows us what the fear of his main characters was like. His dialogue is exquisite. He has woven history into the story into a way that those who experienced it themselves would be proud of." Ted Barris, Bestselling author of Behind the Canada's Role in the Allied Air War, The Great A Canadian Story, and Dam Canadian Airmen and the Secret Raid against Nazi Germany

Genres: Historical

Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2021

Reviews

[Anne Gafiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was eager to read Malcolm Kelly's book as I have been working on hundreds of BCATP stories over the past ten years for various research projects (www.thetyphoonproject.org www.wwiicdnwomensproject.org and www.ottawamemorialproject.org) as well as my own books.

Kelly's storyline kept me engaged. I wanted to learn what was going to happen to his 'intrepids' as he frequently called this cast of young men. Ups and downs and all-around -- high and low moments. And a few surprises are thrown in for good measure.

Kelly loves his characters. I cared about them, too.

Combine Ted Barris's book, Behind the Glory, with Sprog, and one will get an excellent idea of what these young men experienced as they prepared to go to war.

What I would have liked was at least one woman's story intertwined with the men's more deeply into the book, not just in passing -- but from the interviews I have heard from Kelly, this will happen further into the series.

I look forward to the second book. (I know what happened to the Amerika!!)

[Joe Wilding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is very well researched and was quite engaging. I have read many non-fiction books about the the air war in the Second World War, including several on the flight training experience. The book, although fiction, is very accurate to the period and the experience.
There are many things to like about this book. The character development is excellent. The book covers the direct experience of indoctrination into the military and training to fly advanced combat aircraft. But it goes way beyond that. It is a great snapshot into the period of the early war years when Canada (and volunteers from America) were preparing for what would turn out to be a much bigger war. The author does a wonderful job of portraying the emotions, challenges, and struggles that a young pilot would have experienced. There are many other supporting characters including family members, instructors, and officers and the book also shares portions of their experience. The book weaves in the music, sports, and popular culture of the era and gives the reader a vivid experience of the times and how they are somewhat different than our current world.
I highly recommend this book to anyone want an engaging story that will take you back to another era and give you a glimpse of a fascinating topic with historical accuracy.

[Moona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sprog is a powerful and emotionally grounded World War II novel that brings the unsung journey of rookie airmen vividly to life. Set in the summer of 1941, it follows young men from across the Commonwealth as they undergo grueling training under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Malcolm Kelly’s prose is both authentic and evocative, weaving historical fact into the deeply personal experiences of his characters. The novel balances camaraderie, fear, growth, and sacrifice with striking realism, showing the transformation of boys into soldiers. With sharp dialogue and heartfelt moments, Sprog honours a generation often overlooked in war literature. It’s a compelling tribute to the human cost of war and the resilience of those who faced the skies with courage.

[Alacrity17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book by Malcolm Kelly. I found it to be a excellent book, quite compelling to read and it gave me a lot of insight into the RCAF and WWII. His characters are believable and relatable, so much so you become absorbed in their progress. The youth and idealism of the young recruits is strongly portrayed and well as their fears and anxiety. Highly recommend it if you like historical fiction of that era. Available via Amazon.

[Alexander Crowther Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

A superb and moving piece of writing, detailed characters. Well worth the read. Will certainly look at more from this author.