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and the Pilot can't swim
The Battle of Britain is over but the war has only just started.
Sub Lieutenant Hunt has returned to the Fleet Air Arm. After learning to to fly the new naval Martlet fighter, he helps pass on some of his combat experience at the new Air Station at Yeovilton before going to sea in HMS Audacious one of two merchantmen converted to small aircraft carriers to protect convoys. Meanwhile, his Fiancé Heather is flying regularly for the Air Transport Auxiliary but is also drawn into the world of the Secret Intelligence Service.
John is then re- appointed to 863 Squadron flying Martlets off the new carrier HMS Invincible. They are bound for the Eastern Mediterranean. On the way they help resupply Malta with Spitfires, then escort their own convoys to the island from Alexandria.
The French Vichy regime hold three countries, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. With America now in the war, an operation is planned to invade these countries and hopefully help turn the tide of the war.
Operation Torch was the first Allied amphibious operation of the war. It doesn’t get many headlines because its aims were met and little fighting actually took place. What it did do along with victory over Rommel at El Alamein was change balance of power in the Mediterranean and pave the way for further landings in Sicily and Italy.
John and his squadron are in the thick of it and in trying to ensure that the most effective shore defences do not get involved John takes an enormous risk.
The book is once again based on elements of the career of the author’s father who was involved in many of the events described.
Sub Lieutenant Hunt has returned to the Fleet Air Arm. After learning to to fly the new naval Martlet fighter, he helps pass on some of his combat experience at the new Air Station at Yeovilton before going to sea in HMS Audacious one of two merchantmen converted to small aircraft carriers to protect convoys. Meanwhile, his Fiancé Heather is flying regularly for the Air Transport Auxiliary but is also drawn into the world of the Secret Intelligence Service.
John is then re- appointed to 863 Squadron flying Martlets off the new carrier HMS Invincible. They are bound for the Eastern Mediterranean. On the way they help resupply Malta with Spitfires, then escort their own convoys to the island from Alexandria.
The French Vichy regime hold three countries, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. With America now in the war, an operation is planned to invade these countries and hopefully help turn the tide of the war.
Operation Torch was the first Allied amphibious operation of the war. It doesn’t get many headlines because its aims were met and little fighting actually took place. What it did do along with victory over Rommel at El Alamein was change balance of power in the Mediterranean and pave the way for further landings in Sicily and Italy.
John and his squadron are in the thick of it and in trying to ensure that the most effective shore defences do not get involved John takes an enormous risk.
The book is once again based on elements of the career of the author’s father who was involved in many of the events described.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2021
157 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Larry Jeram-Croft
41 books11 followersBest selling author, Larry Jeram-Croft spent thirty years in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot and engineer. He then worked in industry for seven years before retiring. When he retired, he and his wife bought a yacht and went to live in the Caribbean. It was this experience that led to the idea for his 'Jacaranda trilogy'. The novels are based on true events in the West indies of Nelson's time and provide thrilling and exciting stories for all who love the sea and sailing. Brought up on the books of C S Forester and Patrick O'Brian he was surprised that no one was writing similar stories about the modern Royal Navy, especially with so much going on in previous decades. As he was himself a Lynx helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, he decided to start there, using his own extensive knowledge of the conflict. 'Sea Skimmer' was the result; a book based on many true stories, the main one being why the Argentinian Exocet missiles failed to explode. Directly involved in anti Exocet countermeasures and also with a grandstand seat of the final Exocet raid of the war, the book, although a novel, has an authenticity that cannot be bettered. More books have followed. The latest 'Diamant' is a historical novel set in 1805 about the Royal Navy setting up a garrison on Diamond Rock off Martinique an exercise that almost brought Nelson and the French together well before Trafalgar.
In addition to his fiction, last year he published his first non- fiction work, an operational history of the RN Lynx helicopter. Another about the RN Wasp helicopter is due out this year.
Larry now lives in Martock, Somerset and spends most of his time writing and playing golf extraordinarily badly.
You can keep up to date on his blog at: http://sowethereyet.blogspot.co.uk/
In addition to his fiction, last year he published his first non- fiction work, an operational history of the RN Lynx helicopter. Another about the RN Wasp helicopter is due out this year.
Larry now lives in Martock, Somerset and spends most of his time writing and playing golf extraordinarily badly.
You can keep up to date on his blog at: http://sowethereyet.blogspot.co.uk/
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 21, 2023
Royal Navy Pilot in WWII
The second John Hunt novel continues the story of the young Naval pilot who first flew (with the RAF) in the Battle of Britain, and then having been returned to the fleet becomes a carrier pilot in the Med.
Loosely following the author’s father’s career as a Naval Aviator, the author has done extensive historical research in order to make the Naval events in the book as accurate as possible. [I’m less certain as to the accuracy of the parts of the book dealing with MI6 leading up to the invasion of Vichy North Africa, although it’s all believable.]
The author would continue to benefit from an editor, given the number of errors he’s made, primarily with sentence structure. However, this book is better than its predecessor, and the story is certainly worth reading.
The second John Hunt novel continues the story of the young Naval pilot who first flew (with the RAF) in the Battle of Britain, and then having been returned to the fleet becomes a carrier pilot in the Med.
Loosely following the author’s father’s career as a Naval Aviator, the author has done extensive historical research in order to make the Naval events in the book as accurate as possible. [I’m less certain as to the accuracy of the parts of the book dealing with MI6 leading up to the invasion of Vichy North Africa, although it’s all believable.]
The author would continue to benefit from an editor, given the number of errors he’s made, primarily with sentence structure. However, this book is better than its predecessor, and the story is certainly worth reading.
February 16, 2023
A Great 2nd Book in a wonderful series for WWII Aviation Fans
The reader will become invested in John the Naval Pilot & His Romatic Interest Heather, also a Pilot, but not combat. Their lives & Adventures continue to hold your interest through the series as much as the historical stories of the battles & course of the wars progress, which is thus personalized for the reader.
Great Job of writing for us to enjoy. Very realistic as based on personal experience of the Author & his Fathers actual experience during WWII.
The reader will become invested in John the Naval Pilot & His Romatic Interest Heather, also a Pilot, but not combat. Their lives & Adventures continue to hold your interest through the series as much as the historical stories of the battles & course of the wars progress, which is thus personalized for the reader.
Great Job of writing for us to enjoy. Very realistic as based on personal experience of the Author & his Fathers actual experience during WWII.
July 17, 2023
Excellent read. couldn’t put it down!!!
Most of the reviews were five stars, however, some were four stars. The comments were the author should have done a better job editing as there were several mistakes. My answer to that is get over it. When’s the last time you wrote a book? It was an excellent read, and as my father always said, were you entertained? If you were then you enjoyed yourself and quit complaining. It was a great read and I enjoyed it and I look forward to finishing off the series. Thank you for writing this book and keeping me entertained. Great job!
Most of the reviews were five stars, however, some were four stars. The comments were the author should have done a better job editing as there were several mistakes. My answer to that is get over it. When’s the last time you wrote a book? It was an excellent read, and as my father always said, were you entertained? If you were then you enjoyed yourself and quit complaining. It was a great read and I enjoyed it and I look forward to finishing off the series. Thank you for writing this book and keeping me entertained. Great job!
January 15, 2022
Great read
What a super read this is. It follows on from book 1 and keeps to the same breathless action, it's one of those books that you can't put down till the end, then wish you hadn't read it so quickly.
What a super read this is. It follows on from book 1 and keeps to the same breathless action, it's one of those books that you can't put down till the end, then wish you hadn't read it so quickly.
February 11, 2023
Never a dull moment
The protagonist is BEYOND lucky. His and his fiancée stories bring resounding truth to the memes that tell how our parents and grandparents were way more badges than we could possibly imagine..i.e. the Greatest
Generation!
The protagonist is BEYOND lucky. His and his fiancée stories bring resounding truth to the memes that tell how our parents and grandparents were way more badges than we could possibly imagine..i.e. the Greatest
Generation!
May 4, 2023
another nicely put together tale
The John Hunt saga - well-balanced and perfectly paced, mixes acrimony, character, history, technology and the realities of flying in wartime well indeed.
The John Hunt saga - well-balanced and perfectly paced, mixes acrimony, character, history, technology and the realities of flying in wartime well indeed.
July 22, 2023
airborne over water.
Well written saga by an experienced author. He knew aircraft details and was clear about the increased dangers naval aviators faced. The pilots had to fight panic when they faced having land on a postage stamp sized runway bobbing on the ocean.
Well written saga by an experienced author. He knew aircraft details and was clear about the increased dangers naval aviators faced. The pilots had to fight panic when they faced having land on a postage stamp sized runway bobbing on the ocean.
July 30, 2023
Not as good as the first
Book 2 of this series was a good read, but not as good as the first book. Just a little too much of the intelligence side and not as much of the flying side. Looking forward to book 3.
Book 2 of this series was a good read, but not as good as the first book. Just a little too much of the intelligence side and not as much of the flying side. Looking forward to book 3.
August 13, 2023
GOOD CONTINUATION!
Well done and seamlessly interlocks with the first book! This author is one of the best teller of British WWII tales, interweaving truth with tasteful fictional characters!
Well done and seamlessly interlocks with the first book! This author is one of the best teller of British WWII tales, interweaving truth with tasteful fictional characters!
April 23, 2024
I
The way this story ended was just right. Stories set in this era do not always have such a happy ending. The author used some historical material in reference to the RAF pilot when few without legs. Enjoyed this series very much.
The way this story ended was just right. Stories set in this era do not always have such a happy ending. The author used some historical material in reference to the RAF pilot when few without legs. Enjoyed this series very much.
December 23, 2021
Enjoyable read
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the adventures of John Hunt.Somewhat far fetched at times,but a rollicking good yarn. Well worth a read.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the adventures of John Hunt.Somewhat far fetched at times,but a rollicking good yarn. Well worth a read.
January 30, 2022
Great episode
I look forward to reading the next episode in this convoluted story. Some good basic detail but little to get too excited abou.t
I look forward to reading the next episode in this convoluted story. Some good basic detail but little to get too excited abou.t
January 30, 2023
Great read
Very well written book. Great story well told based around real events. A real page turner looking forward to the next book
Very well written book. Great story well told based around real events. A real page turner looking forward to the next book
February 19, 2023
Good read
Good continuation of the John hunt story. Good reading and carries through operation Torch. Can't wait for next episode to begin.
Good continuation of the John hunt story. Good reading and carries through operation Torch. Can't wait for next episode to begin.
March 1, 2023
Wonderful read
Loved this book. Seemed like the author had been right there during the actual fighting. Will look for more of his writings
Loved this book. Seemed like the author had been right there during the actual fighting. Will look for more of his writings
August 13, 2023
lucky man
Lucky and good tells te tail. The story is made believable by the authors style. He kept the story by having several key charters in the book.
Lucky and good tells te tail. The story is made believable by the authors style. He kept the story by having several key charters in the book.
January 7, 2024
good story and accurate history. great read
I enjoyed this story. It covered a large part of the war and seemed quite accurate. I would definitely recommend to a friend.
I enjoyed this story. It covered a large part of the war and seemed quite accurate. I would definitely recommend to a friend.
July 8, 2024
One of the good ones
There are plenty of utterly dire books about WW2 fighter pilots (both fact and fiction). This is fiction, but based on fact - and very, very good.
There are plenty of utterly dire books about WW2 fighter pilots (both fact and fiction). This is fiction, but based on fact - and very, very good.
October 17, 2024
Operation Torch
It is always nice to learn more WW2 history about little known operations! Having the author's Dad's flying combat experience is an absolute bonus!
It is always nice to learn more WW2 history about little known operations! Having the author's Dad's flying combat experience is an absolute bonus!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews