Enemy Coast Ahead

A definitive new edition of a classic, World War II memoir, complete with more than 100 photographs, and notes from leading historians. Guy Gibson was the leader of the famous Dambusters raid, and Enemy Coast Ahead is a vivid, honest account, widely regarded as one of the best books on the Second World War. It also provides an insider’s perspective, setting down in clear detail the challenges that the RAF faced in the war against Germany’s Luftwaffe. Tragically, Gibson died in September 1944, when his Mosquito crashed near Steenbergen in the Netherlands. He was aged just 26. This new book has been published to mark the 75th anniversary of his death and includes an introduction by James Holland, a historian and broadcaster. It includes notes by Dr Robert Owen, the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Association, and many images that have never before been published. Published in association with the RAF Museum Inspired the 1955 film The Dam Busters, starring Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave

First published in 1946, Enemy coast ahead quickly became regarded as the classic Bomber Command book. Following Gibson's RAF career from flying the Hampden and Manchester at the beginning of WWII, the book concludes with the triumphant return home of the Lancasters from the famous 1943 Dambuster raid which Gibson himself led and for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. The fact that Gibson was so highly decorated and did not survive the war has only added to his legend and the popularity of the book. And yet, what has not been widely known is that the published edition of Enemy coast ahead was carefully cut by wartime censors to conceal not only specific details of Gibson's career and secret aspects of Bomber Command operations, but more explicitly his views of the conduct of the bombing campaign, his opinion of senior officers and his thoughts on the behaviour of the general population in wartime conditions. Now Gibson's original manuscript is available revealing his true view of the course of the war, of the wartime public, of his pilots and crews and of Bomber Command tactics.

"A book more truly racy is not likely to be written of the RAF" - Times Literary Supplement "[A] most readable, vivid account of the pre-war and active service of a highly decorated pilot." - Despatches ENEMY COAST AHEAD is Victoria Cross recipient Guy Gibson's action-packed memoir about his time in Bomber Command during World War II, including the Dambuster raid of 1943. First published in 1944, Enemy Coast Ahead quickly became regarded as the classic Bomber Command book, following Gibson's RAF career from flying the Hampden and Manchester at the beginning of World War II to the triumphant return home of the Lancasters from the famous 1943 Dambuster raid, which Gibson led and for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. It is also the inside story of life in Bomber Command throughout the first five years of World War II, culminating in intense drama as the RAF planned, practiced, and strove towards breaching the dams on that famous night in May 1943. "A work of Genius" - Tatler "This is a magnificent story, well and simply told by as great a warrior as these Islands ever bred. It is also History." ---Sir Arthur T. Harris Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC DSO DFC (12 August 1918 - 19 September 1944), was the first Commanding Officer of the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron, which he led in the Dam Busters raid (Operation Chastise) in 1943, resulting in the destruction of two large dams in the Ruhr area of Germany. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, but lost his life later in the war. He had completed over 170 operations at the age of 26.

Includes the Aerial Warfare In Europe During World War II illustrations pack with over 200 maps, plans, and photos. THE classic account of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command during World War Two. This is probably the best-known memoir by a Bomber Command Officer. The author first saw active service with 83 Squadron in 1939 flying against German naval targets. After completing 39 missions he transferred to Fighter Command where he flew as a night-fighter pilot with 29 Squadron. In 1942, he was given command of 106 Squadron. Such was his success flying Lancasters that when 617 Squadron was formed for the specific task of attacking the Ruhr valley dams, the author was given command. Awarded the VC for the famous ‘Dam Busters’ raid, the author was commissioned to write this book, a task which he completed shortly before his death in 1944.-Print Ed. “A remarkable piece of descriptive writing. It records the night-to-night life of a bomber pilot with modesty, humour, and a rich understanding.it is extraordinarily adult work for such a young man.”...”This is a magnificent story well and simply told by as great a warrior as these islands ever bred. It is also History.” Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Arthur Harris