Flying Among Heroes The Story of Squadron Leader T.S.C. Cooke

by Franks, Norman; Muggleton, Simon

• ISBN13: 9780752480428
• ISBN10: 0752480421
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-05-01
• Publisher: The History Press

Summary

Following the extraordinary career of a Second World War bomber pilot, Flying Among Heroes brings together adventure and human daring with the harsh realities of being a member of the wartime Royal Air Force. Tom Cooke, like hundreds of other young men in 1939, joined up to the RAF just a few days before war began aged 18, being selected for pilot training. Just five years later, he had flown fifty-one operations, taken part in the Berlin bombings and three 1,000-bomber raids, and had even taken part in special operations in conjunction with the SOE. Not only did Cooke volunteer for an optional second and third tour of operations, but he was also shot down over France on his thirteenth special operation, survived the bale out with his crew and evaded capture. Helped by the French Resistance, he managed to make his way into Spain and was taken back to England from Gibraltar. Unsurprisingly, considering Cooke's outstanding bravery and patriotism, he was decorated multiple times in his career. Franks and Muggleton make use of primary documentation, including Cooke's own words, and contemporary images to put together a poignant story of wartime duty. In an effort to portray the situation for many young men like Cooke, much information is included on other squadrons and operations, as well as on Bomber Command itself. In all, 55,000 men of Bomber Command gave their lives to the cause of the Second World War; this is the tale of just one of those remarkable young men who survived the hardships of war, returning victorious to a nation of heroes.

Author Biography

Norman Franks is one of the world’s leading authorities on WWI fighter aviation, having published some of the seminal works on the subject. Simon Muggleton joined the Merchant Navy after leaving London Nautical School as an apprentice deck officer with the Bank Line Steamship Company. After marrying and living in New Guinea, he returned to the UK and worked at New Scotland Yard. He then transferred to Sussex Police before his retirement. He is a keen researcher on the RAF and its crews, with a particular interest in the Battle of Britain. He has co-authored three other books with Norman Franks.