{"product_id":"thus-we-keep-faith-the-operational-history-of-196-squadron-raf-1942-1946-paperback","title":"Thus We Keep Faith: The Operational History of 196 Squadron RAF 1942-1946 - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eSteve Holmes\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e196 Squadron was formed in late 1942 as a night bomber squadron, in No. 4 Group\u003cbr\u003eBomber Command. It was February 1943 before the squadron became operational\u003cbr\u003ewith the first sorties being bombing raids on U Boat pens at Lorient, France flying\u003cbr\u003eVickers Wellington aircraft. As well as the bombing raids the squadron also was\u003cbr\u003eused for 'gardening' (minelaying) sorties.\u003cbr\u003eThe unit was then transferred to No.3 Group and re-equipped with Mk III Short\u003cbr\u003eStirlings. Soon afterwards, the Stirling was removed from front-line bombing\u003cbr\u003eoperations, in favour of the Lancaster and Halifax.\u003cbr\u003eLater in 1943 the squadron transferred once more, this time to 38 Group, Allied\u003cbr\u003eExpeditionary Air Force (AEAF). Its new role included glider-towing, troop\u003cbr\u003ecarrying and secret operations for the S.O.E. and S.A.S. The squadron took part in\u003cbr\u003eall the main invasion operations on and after D-Day, including the ill-fated\u003cbr\u003eArnhem operation and then the successful Rhine Crossings. Its operational\u003cbr\u003eeffectiveness was at the cost of numerous aircraft and crews.\u003cbr\u003eWhen the war in Europe ended the squadron was used to repatriate troops and help\u003cbr\u003emisplaced refugees. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Steve Holmes' book replicates the squadron's operational record, telling its\u003cbr\u003estory as it unfolded day by day. It is Steve's second book. His first, Sherlock's\u003cbr\u003eSquadron, is a biographical novel of his father and his father's crew in 196\u003cbr\u003eSquadron during World War II. This prompted Steve to research and write this\u003cbr\u003ebook on the squadron's history. Steve has been the squadron's historian for the\u003cbr\u003epast 25 years. He is retired and lives in the south of Spain. He spends his time\u003cbr\u003eresearching and writing and helping his good friend with his charity business.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 234\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.49 x 11 x 8.5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e May 22, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53301209104691,"sku":"9781911255697","price":35.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0300\/5595\/6612\/files\/R6OTRZVzIn9781911255697.webp?v=1777507774","url":"https:\/\/www.vysn.com\/en-ca\/products\/thus-we-keep-faith-the-operational-history-of-196-squadron-raf-1942-1946-paperback","provider":"VYSN","version":"1.0","type":"link"}