Books

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Caribbean Volunteers At War
RAF’s answer to the Tuskegee Airmen
This is a portrait of more than 495 Caribbean and West African volunteers who served as aircrew (pilots, navigators, gunners and flight engineers) in RAF Bomber and Fighter Commands between 1939 and 1945. More than 25% of these men were decorated and one third were killed in action.
At the heart of the tale are the personal interviews the author conducted with survivors during his 17 years of research, as well as other gripping first hand accounts of battle provided via various newspaper and television interviews, and autobiographies, as well as reviews of operational records from the time. Significant support was also received from the RAF Museum and this allowed the list of black fliers to grow from 450 to its current figure of 495.
The full list of the names of those who flew is included as an Appendix, with squadron details and dates of death, where known.
More info about author Mark Johnson and his books here.
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The Motherland Calls
Britain’s Black Servicemen & Women 1939-1945
A Tribute to the forgotten black servicemen and women whose contribution to the war effort has been overlooked until now. When Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939, the colonies rallied to support the war effort. For some it was an opportunity to show their loyalty to the mother country. For others, especially those who volunteered for the RAF, it was a chance to leave home and have an adventure. For the more progressive-thinking colonials, the war was seen as a route to post-war decolonisation and independence. The freedom that the British have enjoyed since 1945 was made possible by the support of peoples of their former empire. These people made a major contribution to the winning of that freedom. They fought hard for it, and some even gave their lives. However, recognition for this support – and the sacrifices made – has been almost non-existent. Stephen Bourne is a leading authority on black history and has published 11 books on the subject, including A Ship and a Prayer, Black in the British Frame, Speak of Me as I Am and Mother Country.The Motherland Calls is published by The History Press.
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Under One Flag
How indigenous and ethnic peoples of the Commonwealth and British Empire helped Great Britain win World War II
This book written by Erica Myers-Davies tells the stories of the unsung heroes and heroines of World War II from across the world. With personal forewords from Prince Harry and Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC, the first serving recipient of the Victoria Cross since 1969, it emphasises the vital contribution made by those from the Commonwealth and British Empire who volunteered during World War II.Under One Flag also features projects and activities making it ideal for schools and youth groups. From making Anzac biscuits to design army recruitment campaigns. The book also stimulates debate and discussion over key issues that affect us all – history, citizenship, human rights, loyalty, sacrifice and discrimination.
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.For King & Country – The Service and Sacrifice of the Dominican Soldier
In this groundbreaking work, Irving W. Andre and Gabriel J. Christian, provide a fascinating history of British West Indian soldiers. Revealed is the little known 1802 revolt by British West Indian soldiers against slave conditions at Fort Shirley, Dominica; World War I action by West Indian soldiers against Turkish forces in the Middle East; and West Indians in Royal Air Force (RAF) service as pilots, navigators, bomb aimers and ground crew during World War II.Read the extended description on Amazon.com.
Now available online in e-book format at Shelf Wise.
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.Lest we forgetThe Experiences of World War 2 West Indian Ex-Service Personnel by Robert N. Murray, published by Nottingham West Indian Combined Ex-Services Association in association with Hansib Publishing (Carribean ). Limited Supported by Nottinghamshire County Council.
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.Caribbean wars untold – A salute to the British West Indies by Humphrey Metzgen and John Graham published by the University of the West Indies Press.
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.A member of the RAF of indeterminable race –  War memoir by Cy Grant. The title is the translation of a sardonic caption that appeared under Cy’s photograph in a German newspaper shortly after his capture by the SS – evidently sneering at the deployment of coloured aircrew by the RAF.
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.Lancaster W4827: failed to return Epilogue for a Commonwealth crew of a RAF bomber in World War II – Dutch researcher Joost Klootwijk made a careful reconstruction of the crash of a Lancaster in 1943. Foreword by Cy Grant.
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.Chorley’s Bomber Command Losses RAF Bomber Command: Losses of the Second World War
.Luftwaffe Nightfighter combat claims 1939-1945 by John Foreman, Johannes Matthews and Simon Parry
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