Chris and I consider ourselves incredibly privileged to have started our research at a time when the former squadron members were still active and, importantly, still with us. This unique opportunity allowed us to speak with, mingle amongst, and form friendships with those we seek to honour.

Over the years, we had the chance to ask questions and learn directly from these brave individuals about the dangers and excitement of serving at RAF Downham Market. This personal connection to history, developed through their stories, has enabled us to include many of their memories and anecdotes in our books and created a deep bond with their experiences. These are the voices of those who served—sometimes tragic, at times humorous or filled with fear, laughter, and, of course, sorrow. These accounts come from those who experienced it first hand, unedited and not the musings of the many armchair 'experts.'

The men and women we spoke to were the last of the greatest generation, and we both count ourselves extremely fortunate to have been given that chance.

ALL THE TITLES ARE AVIALABLE FROM The Great British Bookshop

CHRIS COVERDALE - PUBLISHED BOOKS

STEVE SMITH - PUBLISHED BOOKS 

A Stirling Effort - Short Stirling Operations at RAF Downham Market 1942-44

RAF Downham Market was situated in the flat fens of Norfolk close to the small market town that bears its name. Positioned close to the River Great Ouse, the airfield nestled comfortably into this rural farming landscape. It was from this peaceful setting that the air war was taken to the very heart of Nazi Germany and Northern Italy. The airfield opened for business in the summer of 1942 and from that first day the squadrons would operate almost continuously until VE Day, May 8th 1945. The first and longest occupants were No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron of No.3 Group RAF Bomber Command. They would, in time, be joined by No.623 Squadron and finally No.214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron. All three units were equipped with the massive four-engined Short Stirling. The station was honoured by the award of the Victoria Cross in 1943, won by a 21-year-old Sergeant pilot from Yorkshire, Arthur Aaron DFM. Almost a year later the station saw another Victoria Cross awarded to one of its airmen, a young Canadian, Ian Bazalgette DFC. This book covers the period in which the Short Stirling bomber, and the multitude of nationalities that made up the air and ground crews, operated almost daily. The resident squadrons participated in every major bomber campaign undertaken between the summer of 1942 and winter of 1943/44 when the Stirling, ultimately rendered obsolete by the increasingly vicious German defences, was withdrawn from the skies over Berlin. Steve “Smudger” Smith is the association historian for both 218 (Gold Coast) and 623 Squadrons, a role he has held for almost 15 years. During that time he has researched extensively the operational history of RAF Downham Market and its Stirling squadrons. Steve is the author of ‘A Short War’, the history of 623 Squadron, also available from Mention the War, ‘From St. Vith to Victory’, the story of 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron and co-authored ‘3 Group Bomber Command’ with Chris Ward.

Short On Luck - The Complete History of 623 Squadron RAF

623 Squadron was one of many units that operated for a brief period as part of Bomber Command in the Second World War. Formed with seven crews from 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron in August 1943, its service life was only five months but its contribution, and the sacrifice of its crews, was considerable. Over the course of 139 sorties its Short Stirlings dropped 120 tons of bombs along with 65 tons of mines at a cost of nine aircraft lost in action and a further two in accidents or crashing on return to base. 46 members of the squadron gave their lives in the cause of our freedom before the squadron was disbanded in December the same year. Falling victim to the withdrawal of the Short Stirling from bombing operations over Germany, the life of the unit was so short that there was not even time for a squadron badge to be granted.

Short on Luck is an expanded edition of Steve Smith's earlier A Short War, larger format and in hardback. In particular, it contains the full squadron Operational Record Book, set in the context of each month's operational narrative. Complete with personal recollections and stories, and contemporary photographs, it provides a lasting testament to 623 Squadron, its crews and aircraft.

In Time - 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron 1944-45

This book covers the squadron's many changing roles between 1944 and 1945. It covers the squadron's early experiments with G-H and the crucial role it played during the D-Day landings. The arrival of the Avro Lancaster, a significant event, is covered in meticulous detail, as is the development of the precision operations against Germany's oil plants and marshalling yards between late 1944 and VE Day.

From St Vith to Victory: 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron and the Campaign Against Nazi Germany