RAF REGIMENT BOOKS
I am often asked for information about books about the RAF Regiment. The following list is of the books that I know. They are listed under two headings, "Books About the RAF Regiment" and "Books Referring to the RAF Regiment". If anyone knows of any other books about the RAF Regiment, or books that include a significant reference to the RAF Regiment, please let me know. I can be contacted by telephone on 0121 608 3791 or by e-mail at baldwinmalc@blueyonder.co.uk
All the books are listed by their date of publication. This month I have added another new one in "Books About the RAF Regiment". It is a RAF Regiment cartoon book similar to the Giles cartoon books and in it, the author Ron Taylor, thanks Giles for the inspiration and also, MAC, the Daily Mail cartoonist for his very kind advice. All the money raised by sales of this book will be split between the charity, “Help for Heroes” and squadron funds for all the squadrons currently in the RAF Regiment. It is titled “Gunner’s Tales, Warts and All” and is priced at £10.00 and until the online shop is up and running it can be obtained from the RAF Regiment Shop at RAF Honington. If you would like a copy, give the Shop Manageress Liz Ramsay a call after 1.30 p.m. on 01359 237521.
Books about the RAF Regiment
"Khaki and Blue" the early ground defence of the RAF in WW2 by Colonel Ronald Sherbrooke-Walker TD DL. Published in 1952 by The Saint Catherine Press Ltd. Now out of print. No ISBN.
“A Short History of the RAF Regiment” from 1942 to 1970 with a brief account of the approach to the problems of airfield defence in the RAF from 1918 to 1942 by Kingsley M Oliver. Printed by Thanet Printing Works in 1969. No ISBN Number and now out of print.
“The Royal Air Force Regiment – A Short History”. A 40th Anniversary edition. An updated short history of the RAF Regiment from 1942 to 1982 with a brief account of the approach to the problems of airfield defence in the Royal air Force from 1918 until the formation of its own defence Corps in 1942. By Group Captain Kingsley Oliver and Wing Commander Keith Batt. Published in 1982 by Adlard and Son Ltd, Bartholomew Press, Dorking, Surrey. No ISBN Number and now out of print.
“No Tigers in our Jungle” about life in the RAF Regiment in South-East Asia Command 1943/45. By ex-Flight Lieutenant Harry Homer. Service number 127613. Published in 1982 ISBN 84 398 8656 X.
“The Edges of War” An RAF Regiment Story by Tim Hillyar. About 2804 Armoured Car Squadron, from landing in France at the end of June 1944, through the fighting in Europe to the British Victory Parade in Berlin on 21st July 1945. Privately published in 1992 by Tim Hillyar. I have no contact details.
“The Blue and Khaki Hunters” Privately published in a Limited Edition of 500 copies in 1993 by D F Sampson through Newton Publishers. ISBN 1-872308-34-1. Can be obtained directly from Mr D F Sampson, 17 Shelley Close, Highcliffe on Sea, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4HW. Telephone number 01425 279206.
"Below the Bottom Rung" the RAF Regiment in Palestine by Edward Grocott. Published in 1996 by J and K H Publishing. ISBN 1 900511 57 6.
"Through Adversity" the History of the RAF Regiment 1942 - 1992 by Kingsley M Oliver. Published in 1997 by Forces and Corporate Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0 9529597 0 4.
"In Adversity" Exploits of Gallantry and Awards to the RAF Regiment and its Associated Forces 1921 - 12995 by Nicholas G Tucker. Published in 1997 by Jade Publishing Limited. ISBN 1-900734-08-7.
"The RAF Regiment" History, Colours, uniforms and Equipment of the RAF Regiment. Edited by Stuart Asquith. Published in 2000 by Nexus Special Interests Ltd. Book Number 001772. Foreword by Air Commodore R C Moore, MBE, RAF, Commandant General, RAF Regiment. But now out of print.
"The RAF Regiment at War 1942 - 1946" by Kingsley M Oliver. Published in 2002 by Pen and Sword Books Limited. ISBN 0-85052-852-6.
"On the Road to Mandalay" featuring the life of the author Randle Manwaring focussing particularly on his time with the RAF Regiment in the Burma Campaign. Published in 2006 by Pen and Sword Books Limited. ISBN 1844154971.
"Constant Vigilance" the RAF Regiment in the Burma Campaign by Nigel W M Warwick. Published in 2007 by Pen and Sword Books Limited. ISBN: 9781844155002.
“Gunner’s Tales, Warts and All” by Ron Taylor. This is a collection of stories, myths and legends from the RAF Regiment. A cartoon book similar to the Giles cartoon books only all Regiment cartoons. A Limited Edition book privately published in 2009 at £10.00.
Books containing references to the RAF Regiment
“The Lost Lady” all about the American Bomber "Lady Be Good". No publication date available. By Mario Martinez. Published by Leo Cooper at £19.95. Mentions 2926 Squadron RAF Regiment.
“Flugplatz Gutersloh”. A Short History 1937/87 with references to the RAF Regiment. Published in 1987. By Gerry Lewis. Published 1987.
“The Battle of the Airfields 1st January 1945” by Norman L Franks. About “Operation Bodenplatte” when the Germans attempted to destroy the advanced Allied Airfields. First published in 1982. ISBN 1 898697 15 9. Republished by Grub Street in 1994 in an updated version.
“Britain's Modern Royal Air Force” which contains a complete chapter on the RAF Regiment. Published in 1994. By Peter F Guiver. ISBN 1 85260 4328.
“The Autobiography” by Brian Clough. Mentions his service at RAF Watchet. Published in 1995. ISBN 1 85225 198 0.
“The Royal Air Force” an Illustrated History by Michael Armitage. Published by Brockhampton Press in 1995. ISBN 1 86019 8511. Contains several references to the RAF Regiment.
“Esprit de Corps” by Walter Archibald Elliott. A Scots Guards Officer on Active Service 1943 - 1945. Published in 1997. In Chapter 7 it’s about the Transfer of RAF Regiment Personnel to the Scots Guards. ISBN 085955 220 9.
“Sunset in the East” by John Hudson published by Leo Cooper in 2002. ISBN 0 85052 846 1. It briefly mentions The RAF Regiment on page 43. Its main interest is the fact that to maintain order and to control the nationalist in Java, the author employed captured Japanese army personnel. It also gives a lot of detail about the war in Burma.
“Joint Force Harrier” by Commander Adrian Orchard, with James Barrington. The true story of a Royal Navy Fighter squadron at war. Published in 2008 by Penguin Books and Micael Joseph. ISBN 9780718153991.
In addition, other books have been privately published by their authors telling of their experiences in the RAF Regiment. If anyone knows of any other books, please let me know.