“… for the story of the early development of US military air transport and the Liberators that were its backbone, nobody has provided anything to match this book.”
The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation - Spring 2025

Subtitled ‘an RAF ‘erk’s’ war from the Battle of Britian to D-Day and Operation Bodenplatte this highly readable account tells the story of ‘one of the many’ without whom ‘the Few’ would not have found immortality. Joe Roddis had enlisted in early 1939 aged 17 he trained as a flight mechanic and joined the Spitfire-equipped 234 Squadron. He recounts the unit’s activities during ‘the Battle’ but from the perspective of one of those left on the ground – and on the bonds formed with his fellow ‘erks’ and with ‘his’ pilot as well as their privations and dangers on the ground. The following year he joined the New Zealand manned 485 Squadron with which he served for the rest of the war, moving onto the Continent after D-Day and living in the field. Joe Roddis died in 2017, and this is a moving tribute to him and his many compatriots whose war service is often overlooked. This is a story not to be missed.
Andrew Thomas - Author and Historian

As featured in
Air Fan - February - March 2025, No496

[link=https://historybookchat.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-airmans-war-1914-1918.html]Book review: The Airman's War 1914-1918 [/link]
HistoryBookChat

I only started the book 24 hours ago knowing nothing of Jean's story. It really was difficult to put down. Packed with many fabulous photographs from the family's collection, this book has been a most enjoyable read. Jean clearly was an incredible and very determined man. I definitely recommend this book to all. Read the full review [link=https://historybookchat.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-belgian-raf-pilot-who-defied-gestapo.html]here[/link]
History Book Chat