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Title:

Fly

Written by:

Michael Veitch 

Published by:

Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd 

Published:

August 01 2008 

Read by:

Michael Veitch 

Number of CDs / Tapes:

8 

Duration:

9 hours 15 minutes 

MP3 size:

 

Genre:

Non-fiction

 

Available Date:

August 01 2008 

ISBN:

9781742015842 

APN / ISBN-13:

9781742015842 

BAB:

MP3 091230;CD 080818 

Simultaneous release of the thrilling new volume of true stories from airmen of the Second World War, from the author of FLAK (also available in audio by Bolinda)

Michael Veitch's life-long obsession with the aircraft of the Second World War led him to conclude that every single person who flew, or flew in them, has at least one extraordinary story to tell. With most of these veterans in their eighties, he knew that it was a matter of urgency to find them now, before their personal stories disappear forever.

So, over the course of a year, Veitch interviewed over fifty former aircrew across Australia, many of whom had never spoken about their experiences before, even to their families. The result was FLAK - a collection of vivid, unforgettable stories from RAAF veterans about their experiences of combat in World War II - and Fly is the second instalment of stories. From bomber pilots to fighter aces, from rear gunners to bomb aimers, from stories of death and fear to tales of humour and comradeship, Michael has helped unearth the extraordinary stories of ordinary men living and fighting in extraordinary times.

AudioFile Magazine
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner [2008]

 

The author undertakes a personal mission to interview WWII pilots from both sides and record their war experiences before they disappear. He encounters many rich characters who are eager to talk, introducing them with dry wit in an Australian accent. Assuming the intonation of the senior citizens, even if Russian or German, he re-creates the excitement of their air battles and the sadness of remembering fallen comrades. As Veitch describes the interviews, one feels a personal involvement. After recounting a harrowing mission, one pilot remembers, "Oh, yes. That was the first time I came back with [expletive] in my pants." Like a good wine or a rare cheese, it seems as though these tales have become better with age, some for 60 years. J.A.H.
AudioFile Magazine [Nov 08]