Endorsement by Nels Running; Major General; USAF (Ret) Executive Director; Department of Defence Korean War Commemoration Committee The history of the Korean War remains unknown to far too many who owe gratitude to those whose courage; commitment and sacrifices secured a victory for freedom and democracy over communist aggression. Even deeper in the shadows of the unknown; lay the clandestine operations of 'special' forces; whose actions often serve to enhance the conventional forces' opportunities for success in combat operations. Cloaked in "special secrecy" at the time; the stories of special operations emerge from the shadows much later than conventional combat histories. In this work; Colonel Doug Dillard illuminates an important arena of operations heretofore largely ignored: airborne special operations. Special operations teams and individuals; sometimes supported by or in conjunction with 'available' conventional resources; made daring airborne penetrations of the enemy 's rear areas and areas of current combat operations to disrupt or defeat the enemy's operations. They gathered and reported critical elements of information regarding enemy dispositions and capabilities to the conventional forces. The men of "Operation AVIARY" were indeed force multipliers whose actions contributed immeasurably to the United Nations Command's victory over communist aggression. A FASCINATING READ!
#139081 in Books 2016-10-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .27 x 6.00l; #File Name: 1539519066106 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A wartime memoir of one of the first American RAF combat pilots provides unexpected dramaBy Marvin K. CollisonArthur Donahue was among the first eight or nine Americans who flew fighters for the RAF in World War II; even before the establishment of the Eagle Squadrons.He was a Battle of Britain veteran who was sent to be part of the doomed defense of Singapore and the Dutch East Indies in early 1942 against the Japanese wave of victories in the first six months of the war in the Pacific. Even though the reader is aware that he does escape Singapore before its surrender to the Japanese; one is wondering through the first part of the book how he will get out: Operating Hurricane fighters from the colony's besieged airfields became increasingly dangerous and untenable as Donahue tried to get in his licks against the invader. The danger continues and worsens as he flies one of the last RAF fighters from Singapore to Sumatra; where the Allies make another futile; costly stand against the Japanese. He does escape the Far East to receive the British Distinguished Flying Cross and resume combat missions against the Germans in Europe; but the book ends with his death on one of those missions in September 1942. This particular publication also includes "Tally Ho;" a memoir describing his service in the Battle of Britain in 1940; as an appendix. Donahue's book is short; but is a pleasant surprise in the amount of drama it offers as well as an inside look at a frustrating effort in one of the worst Allied defeats of World War II.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. A view from the cock pitBy Ski GuyThe book was very insightful and full of information. It really lets see you how the British WWII pilots coped with the stress put on them. It is sometimes very surprising. A book that is hard to put down and has you grieving with some of the survivors and for those lost. If you are a Hurricane and Spitfire fan this book is for you. This book is written by an American who flew for R.A.F. .1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. not as a pilot in WWII but as a six to ten year old who wanted to become more than anything just like 'Him'. I found this book tBy Ray W. ToronjoA story that is familiar to me; not as a pilot in WWII but as a six to ten year old who wanted to become more than anything just like 'Him' .I found this book to be honest and truthful; filled with the young man's plain speak that was normal at that time. No puffery; no dodginess; just well written in his farm boy language. And if you love History as do I; it is filled with details of flying the Spit and the Hurry in combat for a very modest sum of money each month!. No drama; just plain farm boy speech. I loved it.There are two books included in one publication. It sucks you effortly into an age and quiet heroism shown in so often in videos or film of that era. Just as powerful now as it was then.Since that time I accomplished my dream; learning to fly and making than a few of those solo journies up into the clouds and beyond; so I will admit at my advanced age; to sharie a few tears with so many others who may have found the book ending - a death in a singularly quiet and and painful epilogue.Enjoy a cheap and warm evening with this book. You'll likely thank me for the pointer. Ray Toronjo
