The Flying Grocer

by Rupert Guinnes

The true story of Keith Bennett D.F.C, his crew and a Dutch girl's letter that would change their war

This is the true story of the Lancaster G2 bomber crews in World War II and their humanitarian drops over Holland hrough the eyes of one,19 year-old Australian pilot, Keith Bennett D.F.C. Dubbed the "Flying Grocer" by the Dutch recipients of their supplies that were dropped over Holland in what was called Operation Manna, Keith Bennett passed away in late 2003. However, Flight Officer Bennett's amazing story remains alive through revealing flight logs, personal photographs and correspondence - itself rich in military history.

There is also the correspondence Bennett had with Dutch survivors especially one Jannie van Splunde. Bennett and other crews in Bomber Squadron 460 devastated cities like Dresden and Cologne and scarred any romantic ideal about the war. However, from the 30 sorties he carried out for Squadron 460, Bennett was certainly proud of the last three he made - the humanitarian drops over Holland. Until the food drops, hundreds of thousands of Dutch survivors had been left starving by the soon to be defeated Germans who had cut off their supplies. At the time - mid-1945 - a truce was formed between the Allies and the Germans that would allow the giant Lancaster bombers to fly through a designated corridor without coming under fire from enemy fire. Despite the no fire truce, the sight of German guns keeping aim as they flew, reminded the Allies of how precarious their mission was.

The Flying Grocer is an intimate portrait of Keith Bennett and his crew and of the Dutch who were saved by their food drops. But while reflective of one man's courage that saw him awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, it is also the story of so many Australians who fought in the war - especially those of Squadron 460.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Bill Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably enjoyed this book more than most people would, having spent my early years in "bomber country", not near Binbrook but close to the RAF station which now houses the Battle of Britain Memorial flight. Consequently on trips back to Lincolnshire I have often seen Lancaster PA474 cruising around with its Spitfire and Hurricane escorts. A sight to stir the soul.

Having said that I can understand that many others may not be thrilled by the some of the technical detail in this book, but it would be hard not to be moved by the desperation of the Dutch in the west of the Netherlands in the latter months of WWII, and the depravity of the occupying forces.

Finally, it's Rupert Guinness, not Guinnes. To quote, "Rupert Guinness is a Walkley Award commended senior sports writer who writes for the Sydney Morning Herald and who has covered 15 Tours de France" and so on. He is also the son-in-law of the pilot at the core of this story, Keith Bennett DFC.

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not for me. If details such as weight, measurements etc. about planes, bombs and flying distances are of interest, then I'm sure this book will satisfy. I, however, was only interested in learning more of what Holland endured during WW2, which I did, so the book did achieve that for me.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate war in general so it was lovely to find out about humanitarian actions at war - the book provides details on the experience of Keith Bennett who was involved in WWII bombings and then food drops as part of Operation Manna for occupied Holland where people were starving. I suspect people into war would get a lot out of this book which has heaps of stats on the planes, bombs, training and general experience. For me, it was great to find out about Operation Manna and the respect for a quiet man like Keith.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. My father was a navigator during WW2, flying Lancasters, and he recommended this book to me as he felt it really captured his own experiences at the end of the war, including his participation in Operation Mana. Well worth reading.