Description
Book SynopsisOne of the many wartime airmen who documented his day to day experiences in a diary, was RCAF navigator Jan Gellner. Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, Jan was a lawyer practicing in the Czechoslovak town of Brno. With the outbreak of hostilities on the European continent, he went to Canada and trained as an air observer on the first course of the fledgling British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Jan Gellner began his operational tour with No. 311 Czechoslovak (B) Squadron flying the venerable Vickers Wellington. It did not take long for Jan's abilities to shine, especially as an instructor in astro navigation. For his farrowing role in the attack on the German cruise Prinz Eugen, Jan received the coveted Distinguished Flying Cross. After an incredible 37 operations over occupied France and Germany, he became Operational Tour Expired. Jan was selected for pilot training and went to Canada. During his postwar service with the RCAF, he had a distinguished career as an administrative officer, retiring in 1958. Now a civilian, Jan turned to writing and became one of Canada's most knowledgeable and sought after aviation and military affairs journalist."
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; Introduction; The River Kwai; Japanese Politics and Alliances; Invasion of Burma; The Fight from India in Wellington Bombers; The Fight from India in B-24 Liberators 1944; Thailand to Burma Japanese Railway Network; The Fight from India in B-24 Liberators 1945; 159 Squadron Pathfinder Bridge Busting; 159 Squadron Japanese War Crimes; Appendices: I Eastern Air Command Personnel Structure; II Map of Burma; III Detailed Interpretation Report Burma-Thailand Railway; IIIa Appendix to Interpretation Report; IV Chronological Sequence of Allied Aerial Attacks upon the Bridges on the River Kwai; V Listing of Commonwealth and British Air Crew who participated in finally destroying the Bridges on the River Kwai 24 June 1945; VI Gallantry Awards to a number of 159 Squadron recipients 1944-1945; VII Campaign Stars and Medals for service over Burma; VIII Gallantry Awards allocated to Heavy Bomber Squadrons over Burma; Bibliography and References.
