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Get Bloody Stuck In
Hitler has little time left but the Japanese are not going down without a fight.
Newly promoted Lieutenant Commander John Hunt returns to flying duties after his accident in the Mediterranean. Along with his friend Freddie St John Stevens, he is tasked to evaluate two new American fighters that the fleet Air Arm are desperate to acquire. Once back in England he is appointed to be the Commanding Officer of 1854 Hellcat Squadron which is forming up in Northern Ireland. Once operational, they take part in Operation Tungsten, the FAA attack on the Tirpitz. Meanwhile his wife who is flying for the ATA gets lost in bad weather and ends up in enemy occupied France but manages to escape by sailing a twelve-foot dinghy back across the English Channel.
John's squadron then embarks in a carrier for the Far East and become part of the newly forming British Pacific Fleet. The squadron are in the thick of it, bombing oil refineries and enemy airfields as well as coping with the dreaded Kamikaze attacks. Some respite is gained in Australia which is the Fleet's support base but eventually they are fighting off the coast of mainland Japan. The war ends abruptly with the dropping of two atomic bombs and finally John's war is over.
Based on true events and in part on the career of the author's father, this is the story of the most powerful fleet the Royal Navy has ever put into battle with the greatest amount of naval air power ever assembled. It also the story of a Fleet that has almost completely been lost to the mists of time.
Newly promoted Lieutenant Commander John Hunt returns to flying duties after his accident in the Mediterranean. Along with his friend Freddie St John Stevens, he is tasked to evaluate two new American fighters that the fleet Air Arm are desperate to acquire. Once back in England he is appointed to be the Commanding Officer of 1854 Hellcat Squadron which is forming up in Northern Ireland. Once operational, they take part in Operation Tungsten, the FAA attack on the Tirpitz. Meanwhile his wife who is flying for the ATA gets lost in bad weather and ends up in enemy occupied France but manages to escape by sailing a twelve-foot dinghy back across the English Channel.
John's squadron then embarks in a carrier for the Far East and become part of the newly forming British Pacific Fleet. The squadron are in the thick of it, bombing oil refineries and enemy airfields as well as coping with the dreaded Kamikaze attacks. Some respite is gained in Australia which is the Fleet's support base but eventually they are fighting off the coast of mainland Japan. The war ends abruptly with the dropping of two atomic bombs and finally John's war is over.
Based on true events and in part on the career of the author's father, this is the story of the most powerful fleet the Royal Navy has ever put into battle with the greatest amount of naval air power ever assembled. It also the story of a Fleet that has almost completely been lost to the mists of time.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2022
220 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Larry Jeram-Croft
41 books12 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
April 6, 2023
Good Reading but lots of unprovable fiction
Too many parts tied to real events in Ww2 that could not happen but then again it’s fiction. We zig well
Too many parts tied to real events in Ww2 that could not happen but then again it’s fiction. We zig well
July 22, 2023
Royal Navy Pilots in the Pacific
This last book in the John Hunt trilogy follows Hunt’s career as he is promoted to Lieutenant Commander and sent to America to evaluate possible new fighters for the Royal Navy’s use, then given his own squadron. Flying the new Hellcats, they are assigned to an aircraft carrier and sent to the Pacific theatre and the war against Japan.
The entire series, while fiction, is largely historically accurate— that is to say, while the events described may not have occurred to the (fictional) protagonist, for the most part they did indeed occur. That’s part of what makes them worth reading. Indeed, up to a certain point many of the events are taken from his father’s wartime experiences, although his father apparently didn’t serve in the Pacific.
The author himself served as a Royal Navy pilot, although not in fighters. Writing is his second career. He has a good narrative style, although has a tendency to run-on his sentences and misuse commas. Like so many independent authors, he would benefit from a copy editor.
This last book in the John Hunt trilogy follows Hunt’s career as he is promoted to Lieutenant Commander and sent to America to evaluate possible new fighters for the Royal Navy’s use, then given his own squadron. Flying the new Hellcats, they are assigned to an aircraft carrier and sent to the Pacific theatre and the war against Japan.
The entire series, while fiction, is largely historically accurate— that is to say, while the events described may not have occurred to the (fictional) protagonist, for the most part they did indeed occur. That’s part of what makes them worth reading. Indeed, up to a certain point many of the events are taken from his father’s wartime experiences, although his father apparently didn’t serve in the Pacific.
The author himself served as a Royal Navy pilot, although not in fighters. Writing is his second career. He has a good narrative style, although has a tendency to run-on his sentences and misuse commas. Like so many independent authors, he would benefit from a copy editor.
February 18, 2023
Very Interesting story of British Naval Aviation after USA Entered WWII in Africa & Pacific
War Making is never just as we plan it or want it to be. This book does an excellent job on showing just how confusing that can be & the conflicting interests involved. Also the toll that imposes on the troops inolved. This is good history told with great characters, whose personal stories keep the reader deeply involved.
AND THERE ARE MORE BOOKS TO FOLLOW.
War Making is never just as we plan it or want it to be. This book does an excellent job on showing just how confusing that can be & the conflicting interests involved. Also the toll that imposes on the troops inolved. This is good history told with great characters, whose personal stories keep the reader deeply involved.
AND THERE ARE MORE BOOKS TO FOLLOW.
April 29, 2023
Great story, ...but
I thoroughly enjoyed all three books on John Hunt and friends! The author's historical research was excellent, but I must take exception to the repeated comment that the United States lost no territory to the Japanese. The Philippines was, in fact, a territory of the U.S. until 1946. The Japanese seized the Philippines after the surrender of the 'Battered Bastards of Bataan,' in April, 1942.
I thoroughly enjoyed all three books on John Hunt and friends! The author's historical research was excellent, but I must take exception to the repeated comment that the United States lost no territory to the Japanese. The Philippines was, in fact, a territory of the U.S. until 1946. The Japanese seized the Philippines after the surrender of the 'Battered Bastards of Bataan,' in April, 1942.
September 21, 2024
Read all 3 in the series. 'Can't put em down " books, especially for and old J3 pilot like me.
Anybody who's been in the left seat or front seat feeling the ground slip away will feel it again, even sitting on the couch (if you close your eyes).
My dad was a Naval Air man and my mom was a Wasp so stick and rudder was in my blood.
Now time for a taste of Brandy and pick out my next read.
N1423N 1946 J3 over and out.
Anybody who's been in the left seat or front seat feeling the ground slip away will feel it again, even sitting on the couch (if you close your eyes).
My dad was a Naval Air man and my mom was a Wasp so stick and rudder was in my blood.
Now time for a taste of Brandy and pick out my next read.
N1423N 1946 J3 over and out.
July 24, 2023
The bitter victory
British action in the Pacific in 1945 was a revelation to me. The decision to armor their flight decks on their aircraft carriers was a splendid one. They withstood the kamikazi attacks much better than American carriers with wooden flight decks. The British WWII perspective was enlightening, particularly since they had been fighting since 1940.
British action in the Pacific in 1945 was a revelation to me. The decision to armor their flight decks on their aircraft carriers was a splendid one. They withstood the kamikazi attacks much better than American carriers with wooden flight decks. The British WWII perspective was enlightening, particularly since they had been fighting since 1940.
February 4, 2023
Excellent overview of the FAA and British Pacific Fleet
The stories hang together. The author carefully researched the American naval aircraft with the British there is a glitch about the us and UK declaring war on Japan.
The stories hang together. The author carefully researched the American naval aircraft with the British there is a glitch about the us and UK declaring war on Japan.
February 13, 2023
Excellent "final edition"
Once again NEVER A DULL MOMENT! Great read, great story, excellent story telling. I have really enjoyed reading this series, usually one book each day. Next I shall read about the son....
Once again NEVER A DULL MOMENT! Great read, great story, excellent story telling. I have really enjoyed reading this series, usually one book each day. Next I shall read about the son....
May 14, 2023
The whole series is a treat
From start to finish, all the books are wonderful. Very personal in tone, great mix of character and action, convincing dialogue and accurate mix of the rush, confusion,and hideousness of combat.
From start to finish, all the books are wonderful. Very personal in tone, great mix of character and action, convincing dialogue and accurate mix of the rush, confusion,and hideousness of combat.
July 23, 2023
Once again… could NOT put it down!!!
Once again, I would like to thank Mr. Craft very much. Have not been disappointed yet. As I said, in my previous review, it was a very entertaining book and I was able to get away from reality for a while. Thank you.
Once again, I would like to thank Mr. Craft very much. Have not been disappointed yet. As I said, in my previous review, it was a very entertaining book and I was able to get away from reality for a while. Thank you.
August 1, 2023
Accurate details & well written drama
Jeram-Croft delivers historic, technical, and personal drama and details with respect and well crafted writing. I'm looking forward to further books from him.
Jeram-Croft delivers historic, technical, and personal drama and details with respect and well crafted writing. I'm looking forward to further books from him.
October 30, 2023
Great Read
Fell in love with the characters, the writing, the action and the drama! Could almost feel think of the catapults and the dramatic stops on the deck from the Number 3 wire! Great series of 3 books!
Fell in love with the characters, the writing, the action and the drama! Could almost feel think of the catapults and the dramatic stops on the deck from the Number 3 wire! Great series of 3 books!
April 30, 2024
John Hunt
Great stories of world war 2 fighter pilots in England A lot of action intrigue and sad time You really feel like you are there Hope you enjoy these books as well as I dic
Great stories of world war 2 fighter pilots in England A lot of action intrigue and sad time You really feel like you are there Hope you enjoy these books as well as I dic
Read
February 8, 2023A Corker of a book!
If you like action and history this is your book. The end is anti - climatic until it isn't and so, no spoilers.
If you like action and history this is your book. The end is anti - climatic until it isn't and so, no spoilers.
January 13, 2024
great story with truth about the war in the pacific
I enjoyed the historical portrayal of the British efforts in the Pacific. Great read kept you involved. Would recommend to a friend.
I enjoyed the historical portrayal of the British efforts in the Pacific. Great read kept you involved. Would recommend to a friend.
January 24, 2024
love…difficult
I love your book but it is so hard to get past the frequent grammatical errors. You need a good proof reader!
I love your book but it is so hard to get past the frequent grammatical errors. You need a good proof reader!
June 17, 2024
fun read
Good story but a little light. A little more detail about the mechanics of flying especially taking off from the beach and land with an injured pilot on your lap.
Good story but a little light. A little more detail about the mechanics of flying especially taking off from the beach and land with an injured pilot on your lap.
October 19, 2024
British Pacific Fleet
I never gave it much thought about the role that the Royal Navy played in fighting the Japanese in the Pacific!
I never gave it much thought about the role that the Royal Navy played in fighting the Japanese in the Pacific!
January 26, 2026
I enjoyed the 3-book series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews