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The Thundering Line

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On the ground below, slaughter on a scale never seen before, ensues. Tanks, still early in their evolution, are deployed in battle and the soil of the Western Front is drenched in the blood of hordes of soldiers.

Back in the air, Major Wyatt has recently taken charged of 99 Squadron, a British scout squadron, following the death of its previous commanding officer. The 99 pitches its Sopwith Pup aircraft against the Germans, again and again. Many consider the German aircraft superior, but even the mighty Albatroses are not without their weaknesses.

The work of 99 Squadron is nerve-wracking and highly dangerous, but Wyatt is experienced, having been at the Front since 1914. He leads his men with a strength and determination that fortifies the atmosphere within the team.

Until, that is, Second Lieutenant Daintith arrives in a Nieuport 17, and announces that he is to join 99 Squadron.

Most of the 99 find Daintith affable at first. Only one man, who knows him of old, is wary. Yet as time passes, Daintith's veneer begins to fall away — to reveal something much more sinister beneath.

Something that has a subtle, but potentially devastating, effect on the 99.

The Thundering Line presents an unflinching and visceral account of one of the bloodiest wars in history, providing a detailed, fascinating and highly accurate insight into the environments, psychology and behaviour of both British and German fighters.

Richard Townshend Bickers is the author of many successful flying novels of the Second World War. Born in India and educated at St Paul’s he volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of war and served as a regular officer until 1957. He has lived in many countries, travelled all over the world, and speaks and writes nine European and four oriental languages. He has written several radio plays and features as well as articles and short stories, and values bravery, kindness, humour, good food and good wine. This book was previously published under the pseudonym Richard Leslie.

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2016

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About the author

Richard Townshend Bickers

85 books13 followers
Richard Leslie Townshend Bickers has written more books about the RAF and its predecessor, the RFC, than any other author past or present - some under a pseudonym. Being multilingual, he does his own research in foreign archives and by interviews and correspondence. His short stories and newspaper articles were first published and broadcast while he was a serving RAF officer. By the time he left the RAF his first four novels had appeared. His biography of his friend "Ginger" Lacey, the top-scoring pilot in the Battle of Britain, was published to acclaim in 1962.Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. In England he operated with Fighter and Coastal Commands; in North Africa and Italy with Desert Air Force and Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force. After the war he did a tour in Hong Kong and Malaya.

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Profile Image for Don Blower.
19 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2024
Breathtaking

Thrilling, breathtaking, without a dull moment. The description of aerial engagement engenders vivid visualisation encapsulating the emotions of stress, fear and indifference to loss of friends and the suffering of the enemy. By far the best example of the genre I have encountered.
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