Separate Little War: The BANFF Coastal Command Strike Wing Versus the Kreigsmarine and Luftwaffe 1944 - 1945

by Andrew D. Bird

Every day for nine months from September 1944, young British Commonwealth and Norwegian airmen flew from Banff, Fraserburgh and Peterhead in northern Scotland to target German U-boats, merchant men and freighters in the fjords and leads of southwest Norway, encountering the Luftwaffe and flakships every step of the way. Truly this was a war within a war, bitter and bloody, at low level and close quarters. By recording their crucial contribution to winning the world war, in a compelling, accurate and fascinating way, Andrew Bird has ensured their memory will not be overlooked.

Genres: European History

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Andrew has emerged in the last decade as a prolific author with his books A Separate Little War and Coastal Dawn casting a new light on the men who flew in RAF Coastal Command campaign’s. Drafts for A Separate Little War began in 1993 and was finally published in London by Grub Street an award-winning small, niche independent publisher in August 2003. His first historical work A Separate Little War: The Banff Coastal Command Strike Wing Versus the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe 1944-1945 (Grub St), became a Glasgow Herald and Mail on Sunday top ten best seller and an instant success in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The book has subsequently, been republished in paperback (2005 and 2008). September 2012, Grub Street published his second book Coastal Dawn: Blenheim’s in Action from the Phoney War Through the Battle of Britain, this is the first account of events dealing with RAF Coastal Command Bristol Blenheim Fighter’s in 1940. Covering the ill fated Norwegian Campaign, air combat over Holland, the evacuation of the Dutch Royal Family, Battle of France, and Dunkirk thought to October 1940. Coastal Dawn went straight into the Amazon top ten, reaching the No. 3 spot [2012] and continues to be in the Top 100 Titles for the Battle of Britain in 2015. Andrew Bird’s latest book, ‘White Knight’s’, is currently being written. Andrew, has also taken part in several historical TV documentaries: In May 2005, he presented a film called Davenport & Day for NRK Ostafjells by Stine Hanson and also took part in 1945-2005 Night on BBC Aberdeenshire. In 2012 he was a consultant and presenter on War Heroes In My Family with Lisa Faulkner (Series 1) on Channel 5, made by 360 Productions, with Series Producer Michael Wadding. He was a series consultant and contributor for Who Do You Think You Are (Series 10) for Wall-to-Wall Media, episode 3, featuring Hollywood actress Minnie Driver. Then contributed towards the ‘Billy’ Connelly episode 9 in Series 11. He was one of the consultants used by the BBC for the launch of the corporations BBC’s World War One At Home – Local Stories from a Global Conflict. Andrew was a contributor on BBC Radio Berkshire being interviewed by Janice Hunter on the Royal Flying Corps training in WW1 that took place on the Reading University Campus, which was transmitted in the summer of 2014 and has subsequently appeared on BBC South To-Day News in August and September 2014 with Nikki Chapman talking about the School of Aeronautics in Reading during WW1. April 2015: Saw Andrew carry out some of the initial historical research for BBC One VE Day 70, Remembering Victory, and also supply images for this programme and regional BBC News and associated websites. He participated as historical consultant sourcing photographs for BBC Radio Berkshires VE Day Special – Memories of VE Day celebrations from BBC Radio Berkshire listeners. Andrew diversifies between being a writer and producer with freelancing as a creative designer, and has worked for an eclectic mix of people: Sir Julian Rose – Hardwick Estates Organic’s, George Harrison, John Mortimer, Robert Hardy, Vince Hill and Rachel Goswell (of Slowdive, Mojave 3) to Reading Outreach Programme, HRR, Leander Club, Henley Town Regatta, Open-Spaces, Thames Valley Police – Pub Watch Scheme, The Guardian Media Group, Harrods, Waitrose (part of the John Lewis Partnership) 3 Mobile, David Bent, the Royal Air Force Museum and the singer, Robin Gibb, campaign to build a permanent memorial in the capital for veterans of Bomber Command, Sir Peter Jackson, The Vintage Aviator Ltd (TVAL), Internationally acclaimed artist Dryden Goodwin drew Andrew as one of his subjects for his ‘Open’ exhibition in 2010. He lives in the novelist Elizabeth Taylor’s mid-terrace house in Berkshire with his family

Reviews

[Ian Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative chronology

Interesting read but a tad too the point in the way the facts are presented. Would still recommend for those with such an interest. .

[Mark Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of heroism and sacrifice. Excellent book on a little know aspect of WW2

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the rest of the RAF were pushing across Europe, Coastal Command started their own war along the Norwegian coast.

The book deals with the activities of the Mosquito wing based at Banff, while acknowledging the role played by the Commonwealth Beaufighters at Dallachy and support paid by Polish and RAF Mustang crews in escort and Vickers Warwicks flying Air Sea Rescue missions.

Mr Bird has provided a well researched and comprehensive description of Coastal Commands war, detailing the missions, successes, losses and the occasional error.

I found the book to be very readable, without much by way of commentary but providing a thoroughly told description of operations. Often the weather is as great an obstacle as enemy action, and the courage of men fighting home across the North Sea in damaged aircraft is particularly well documented.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in the air war, detailing a little documented theatre.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heck of a thing, to fly a Mosquito 15 ft. off the water to attack heavily defended shipping. Fascinating story, told moderately well. Recommended to WW2 aviation geeks, like me.