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Dambuster-in-Chief: The Life of Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Cochrane Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

“A fascinating biography of one of the most important figures in Bomber Command during the Second World War.” —History of War

Ralph Cochrane was born in 1895 into a distinguished naval family. After joining the Royal Navy, he volunteered in 1915 to serve with the RNAS in airships and was an early winner of the Air Force Cross. In 1918 he transferred to the fledgling RAF and learned to fly, serving in Iraq as a flight commander under “Bomber” Harris. His inter-war career saw him as a squadron commander in Aden before he became the first Chief of Air Staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. During the Second World War he served mainly in Bomber Command and commanded 5 Group from early 1943. He formed 617 Squadron and was instrumental in planning the legendary Dambuster Raid, the most spectacular of the War, as well as the sinking of the battleship
Tirpitz. An inspirational leader, he trained 5 Group in low level target marking skills.

Post war, Cochrane held a string of senior appointments commanding Transport Command, Flying Training Command and finally as Vice Chief of Air Staff, retiring in 1952. He died in 1977.

“A brilliantly researched biography of a fascinating fighter . . . adds a new name to rank alongside Great Britain’s most heroic warriors.” —Argunners

“The Dambusters is one of my absolute favourite stories from WWII . . . and this bio of Cochrane tells the story of an extraordinary man. Brilliant.” —Books Monthly
Due to its large file size, this book may take longer to download

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For the serious World War II reader, author Mead’s minor masterpiece not only adds Operation Chastise to one’s depth of the RAF’s most dangerous, controversial victories, but also a new name to rank alongside Great Britain’s most heroic warriors."
Argunners

About the Author

Richard Mead was educated at Marlborough College and Pembroke College, Cambridge. He has written 'General ‘Boy’: The Life of Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Browning' and 'The Last Great Cavalryman: The Life of General Sir Richard McCreery', 'Commander Eighty Army', 'The Men Behind Monty' and 'Commando General – The Life of Sir Robert Laycock', all in print with Pen and Sword Military.

Richard and his wife live in Gloucestershire and he has two grown-up sons.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08L3JBFVT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation (December 30, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 30, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 21034 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 419 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

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Richard Mead
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4.5 out of 5 stars
9 global ratings

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Top reviews from other countries

  • patrick russell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2022
    Richard Mead has produced a superb biography of a leader who held many commands during world war two. He was there when it mattered, and afterwards as Vice Chief of the Air Staff under Sir John Slessor. This book is in good company with the author's biography of Sam Elworthy. Well worth reading
  • Steven Ford
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2020
    This is a very readable account of a man who very few of us would have been aware.

    Well written and researched
  • E J Norwich
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2021
    Well written, full of detail, really gave you a feel of the man.

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