Thursday, July 6, 2017

New Release Today! Dambuster by Susan Ottaway

Today, July 6, 2017 a new version is being released of: 


The Life of Guy Gibson VC

by Susan Ottaway




FEW MEN HAVE A BETTER CLAIM TO BE CALLED A LEGEND IN THEIR OWN LIFETIME THAN GUY GIBSON.


Guy Gibson (Aug. 12 1918 - Sept. 19, 1944)(aged 26) Image from Wikipedia


Leader of the famous Dambuster Raid of May 1943, which became part of the popular folklore of the Second World War after the film in which Richard Todd took the part of the hero, Gibson himself was tragically in an air crash in 1944.

Born in India in 1918 and brought up in England, Guy Gibson joined the RAF in November 1936. Thereafter his career can be seen as a battle between, on the one hand, his uncertain temperament and less than ideal private life, and, on the other, his undoubted skills as an airman and as a leader of men.

The war was to bring him adventure and, later, fame. He took part in the first aerial attack of the war, on the Kiel Canal; he served in Fighter Command and then, in 1943, came the famous raid on the Mohne and Eder dams for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

By now a hero of international fame, he was sent on a Public Relations tour of North America, but he was above all a flyer and, refusing to remain grounded, he died an airman’s death.

This new edition, which draws on conversations with members of Gibson’s family and on notes made by his widow, expands upon his early life in a severely dysfunctional family, his unhappy marriage and the possible reason for his untimely death in September 1944.

 Air Vice Marshal Ralph Cochrane, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, King George VI and Group Captain John Whitworth discuss the Dambuster Raid during the King's visit to RAF Scampton on 27 May 1943. Image from Wikipedia


About the Author:

Susan Ottaway has a passion for modern history, aviation, reading, Arsenal football club, animals and hooded vultures. Following a career in aviation she is now the author of eight books and her research and writing has led to her meeting many interesting people.  She grew up in Egham, close to where the Magna Carta was signed, but now lives in Hampshire with Nick and their dog and three cats. In addition to writing she also speaks at various events including battlefield tours, literary festivals and historical societies and has appeared in radio and television programmes both for the BBC and the Discovery History Channel.  She has recently joined Twitter – try tweeting her @susanottaway   




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