Barney Greatrex
From Bomber Command to the French Resistance - the stirring story of an Australian hero
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Hachette Australia
Published:30th May '19
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
The incredible untold World War II story of Australian hero BARNEY GREATREX - from Bomber Command to French Resistance fighter.
A school and university cadet in Sydney, Barney Greatrex signed up for RAF Bomber Command in 1941, eager to get straight into the very centre of the Allied counterattack. Bombing Germany night after night, Barney's 61 Squadron faced continual enemy fighter attacks and anti-aircraft fire - death or capture by the Nazis loomed large. Very few survived more than 20 missions, and it was on his 20th mission, in 1944, that Barney's luck finally ran out: he was shot down over occupied France.
But his war was far from over. Rescued by the French Resistance, Barney seized the opportunity to carry on fighting and joined the Maquis in the liberation of France from the occupying German forces, who rarely took prisoners.
Later, Barney was awarded the French Legion of Honour, but for seventy years he said almost nothing of his incredible war service - surviving two of the most dangerous battlefronts. Aged 97, Barney Greatrex revealed his truly great Australian war story to acclaimed bestselling author Michael Veitch.
'fascinating . . . Veitch brings the story vividly to life' Sydney Morning Herald Pick of the Week
'Veitch has done a wonderful job . . . a fast-paced and thrilling tale' Daily Telegraph
Review TO COME * Sunday Age *
Review TO COME * SA Life *
Review TO COME * Australian & NZ Defender Magazine *
Review TO COME * Queensland Reviewers Collective *
Review TO COME * Good Reading *
Veitch takes his story, and skilfully weaves a suspenseful and touching account that would appeal to a wider audience than just war history readers * Warcry Magazine *
Review TO COME * Reveille - NSW RSL Magazine *
Review TO COME * Royal United Services Institute of Victoria Magazine *
Review TO COME * SAETA Review *
a gripping story of one man's willingness to fight for what he believed in and keep himself alive. * The Book Muse (blog) *
Veitch brings the story vividly to life. * The Saturday Age, Sydney Morning Herald *
Michael Veitch's account of Greatrex's war is not only a fascinating, detailed description of the sheer terror of Bomber Command ops over Germany, it's also a case study. * Border Mail, Western Advocate, Burnie Advocate, Bendigo Advertiser, Daily Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader,Launceston Examiner, Ballarat Courier, North West Star *
Michael Veitch, as in his brilliant 44 Days, weaves Barney's narrative with adroit segues into the wider war. * Adelaide Advertiser *
This is a stirring and previously untold story about the transformative effect of luck and courage. It deserves a wide audience. * Newscorp Regional/HTE newspapers *
Veitch has done a wonderful job of turning it into a fast-paced and thrilling tale, without any need for embellishment * The Daily Telegraph *
Review * Australian Defence Magazine *
ISBN: 9780733640902
Dimensions: 196mm x 124mm x 26mm
Weight: 240g
352 pages