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633 Squadron #2
Operation Rhine Maiden
After the near-suicide mission to the Norwegian fjord, which had claimed so many lives, morale among what was left of 633 Squadron is at its lowest ebb. Unbearable tension, stupid wrangling among the survivors and problems with replacement recruits are tearing the squadron apart. Vesuvius - this was the mission on which the success of D-Day depended. The chosen squadron was no. 633, and their target was a fjord in Norway, where the Germans were known to be developing something so secret that not even the crews of the Mosquitoes which were to fly on the mission could be told about it. All they do know is that they will be flying in low, between the steep mountain walls, without fighter support. Most of them will be flying one way only
- GenresHistory
279 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 8, 2025
years ago I read "633 Squadron" & watched the movie. I loved both. this is the 2nd in the series & I loved it. on to book 3.
January 26, 2023
Excellent follow-up to the original. Would recommend.
May 2, 2013
This is the classic story of a RAF squadron in WWII.
There are three stories in the volume.
In '633 Squadron', their target is a Norwegian power plant where the Nazi's are experimenting with powerful new weapons. Situated at the end of a narrow fjord, under an overhang, only the elite squadron can knock it out. Framed by an excellent love story and with an ending to make you smile, this is an excellent read.
In 'Opertion Rhine Maiden', it is a munitionns factory that needs taking out before it can start production of a rocket that would decimate the American daytime bombers. But the factory is underground, in a dense forest and they need someone on the inside to guide that fighters in. Only a woman can do that, and with two members of the the squadron in love with her, tensions are high.
In 'Operation Crucible' the RAF are under attack from their American allies. Some factions feel they aren't giving enough protection to the American bombers and casualties are rising. In an attempt to mend fences, a daring raid on a POW transport train is planned to free the US prisoners. Only things don't quite go right and relations between the two airforces are stretched to breaking point. Can the elite squadron pull off another daring raid and get back in the US's good books? Of course they can!
Three great stories, even if only a few of the characters are fully fleshed out and the others are mentioned in passing, then killed off in an blaze of exploding plane! Still well worth reading, although not all of the technical/military jargon is explained, so you might have to keep a dictionary handy!
There are three stories in the volume.
In '633 Squadron', their target is a Norwegian power plant where the Nazi's are experimenting with powerful new weapons. Situated at the end of a narrow fjord, under an overhang, only the elite squadron can knock it out. Framed by an excellent love story and with an ending to make you smile, this is an excellent read.
In 'Opertion Rhine Maiden', it is a munitionns factory that needs taking out before it can start production of a rocket that would decimate the American daytime bombers. But the factory is underground, in a dense forest and they need someone on the inside to guide that fighters in. Only a woman can do that, and with two members of the the squadron in love with her, tensions are high.
In 'Operation Crucible' the RAF are under attack from their American allies. Some factions feel they aren't giving enough protection to the American bombers and casualties are rising. In an attempt to mend fences, a daring raid on a POW transport train is planned to free the US prisoners. Only things don't quite go right and relations between the two airforces are stretched to breaking point. Can the elite squadron pull off another daring raid and get back in the US's good books? Of course they can!
Three great stories, even if only a few of the characters are fully fleshed out and the others are mentioned in passing, then killed off in an blaze of exploding plane! Still well worth reading, although not all of the technical/military jargon is explained, so you might have to keep a dictionary handy!
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March 24, 2013A great 'Boy's Own' read from WWII
April 1, 2020
Gripping read
What a cracking action packed book this is. It's one of those books you pick up but cannot put down. Brilliant
What a cracking action packed book this is. It's one of those books you pick up but cannot put down. Brilliant
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews