Enemy Coast Ahead

Ref: 4335

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Price: £30.00

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{detailed description}First published in 1944, Guy Gibson's Enemy Coast Ahead quickly became regarded as the classic Bomber Command book. Following Gibson's RAF career from flying the Hampden and Manchester at the beginning of WWII the book concludes with the triumphant return home of the Lancasters from the famous 1943 Dambuster raid which Gibson himself led and for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Far more than the life of a single RAF pilot, Enemy Coast Ahead is also the inside story of life in Bomber Command throughout the first few years of the Second World War. Remaining almost continuously in print for nearly 60 years, it is still a riveting read for the immediacy and vibrancy of its writing. The fact that Gibson was so highly decorated and did not survive the war (in circumstances never fully explained) has only added to his legend and the popularity of his only book.
And yet, what has not been widely known is that the published edition of Enemy Coast Ahead was carefully cut by wartime censors to conceal not only specific details of his career and secret aspects of Bomber Command operations, but more explicitly Gibson's views of the conduct of the bombing campaign, his opinion of senior officers and his thoughts on the behaviour of the general population in wartime conditions. Much has been written and said about Gibson and his controversial character, and much about the true Gibson has remained shrouded in mystery and rumour.
Now, for the first time, Gibson's original manuscript is available providing not only previously unpublished details of his career, but also revealing his true view of the course of the war, of the wartime population, of his fellow pilots and crews and of Bomber Command tactics.
This, Gibson's true story as he wanted to tell it, has remained under lock and key for almost 60 years but now, combined with newly added photographs and documents, Enemy Coast Ahead - Uncensored reveals his own story in his own words.
As one of the very few new stories to come out of WWII from one of its best-known personalities, Enemy Coast Ahead - Uncensored will appeal to anybody with even a passing interest in WWII, Bomber Command or just true flying stories of courage and determination.
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Guy Gibson
Published by Crecy 2003 edn. 288pp illustrated, index, appendices. 16x24
{condition}mint, including d/j.
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