Featured Books:
1. The outstanding biography of John Jackson; a 3 Squadron desert fighter-pilot who lost his life leading the desperate defence of Port Moresby...
For ordering details and text samples click: "A Lot To Fight For"
2. Felix Sainsbury's "Ground Crew" describes life in No.3 Squadron 1941-43
For description, purchasing details, sample photos and extracts, click: "Ground Crew" .
Nicky Barr - An Australian Air Ace
3. Nicky
Barr was 3 Squadron's highest-scoring ace, flying over the North African desert
in the frantic days of 1942. His service history reads like something from
the "Boys Own Paper"! Besides being an international footballer
pre-war, becoming a gifted pilot and inspirational leader of men, Nicky was an
inveterate escaper and evader. He earned the Military Cross for his
actions behind enemy lines with partisans in Italy - a most unusual
accompaniment for his Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. (The story of
how Physiotherapist Peter Dornan came to write this biography was told on
ABC-TV's
"Australian Story" program in 2002.)
4. "Goon in the Block" is a POW memoir by Canadian Don Edy, who - after surviving being shot down in Libya and then having his Italian POW transport ship torpedoed in the Mediterranean! - spent extensive time "inside" with some of 3 Squadron's captured fliers: Fred Eggleston; "Robbie" Roberts and Robert Sydney "Bob" Jones. Don also documents the terrible winter forced-march of POWs from Sagan Camp right across Germany. (This huge retreat also swept up other 3 Squadron men, such as Snow Campbell and Alan Righetti.) To see photos and a description of the content from Don's book, along with ordering details, click on the graphic below.
5. Stan Watt's (450 Squadron) experiences alongside 3 Squadron in Italy ... Click to see details about "Wing Over and Dive".
6. John
Bennett's excellent book about the
foundation of the RAAF in 1921.
For ordering details and an illustrated review click:
"The Imperial Gift"
7. In July 1942, Ted Sly, after serving with Bluey Truscott's 452 RAAF Squadron, was posted to 450 squadron, 3 Squadron's sister squadron. There he flew Kittyhawks until, after 22 missions and fighting the same foes as 3 Squadron, including Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Marseille, he was posted to 92 Squadron, RAF. Here he began his long love affair with Spitfires. Today, Ted in his mid 80s and actively working, is still an integral part of the Spitfire Association.
His cracker-jack autobiography "The Luck of the Draw" has undoubtedly joined the ranks of Australia's exceptional historical records. It is a truly delightful read. (Click here to access more details and extracts from the book.)
He begins so vividly with his early days on the land before he joined up. He writes, describing his RAAF service days, concisely and informatively recounting hundreds of instances which he shared with such well known characters as Neville Duke, Bobby Gibbes, Paul Brickhill and Clive Caldwell whilst attached to 457 Squadron fighting the Pacific War from Morotai.
Added bonuses are being able to read about some of Ted's ancestors who were Australian pioneers and also reading about how he spent his life during the 58 years following the war. Every young person could well benefit from a study of his achievements, particularly Ted's viewpoint expressed on Page 11: "I consider the period of one's teens to be the best time for learning self-discipline and how to cope with adverse conditions. My early experiences of survival in adverse conditions, held me in good stead in all war zones."
8. Kristen Alexander has a bookshop in Canberra, ACT, Australia, specialising in Military Books.
Kristen has recently researched the life of Clive Caldwell; Australia's top ace of WW2 and the most successful P-40 pilot in any of the Allied air forces. Clive was was C.O. of 112 Squadron in North Africa, under 239 Wing, alongside 3 Squadron. Kirsten's successful book is highly recommendable:
Clive Caldwell Air Ace - Searchable Preview
It relates not only the historical and operational aspects of Caldwell's career, but reveals the more human side: the lighter moments, the anecdotes, the stories that flesh out the "bare bones" historical record. Caldwell had a tumultuous flying career and RAAF veterans who knew Caldwell have shared their personal memories of him, covering his EATS training days, service in the Middle East, his brief period of service in England, and in the Pacific Theatre, his service with No 1 Fighter Wing, No 80 Fighter Wing, and OTU Mildura.
Kristen's Website is: www.alexanderfaxbooks.com.au, Phone (02) 6259 0540. She kindly offers any 3 Squadron enthusiast a 10% discount from any purchase made from her bookshop.
