Book: AVENGING IN THE SHADOWS: No.214 Squadron Royal Air Force

[phasselgren]

Hi,

I am trying to acquire the book: AVENGING IN THE SHADOWS: No.214 Squadron Royal Air Force by Ron James. To be more specific the reprint from 2006 (ISBN-10: 1900604264). It is no longer available from the publisher and it seems to be out of stock at booksellers. Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
Peter

[ianh]

Hi Peter

Take a look on the bookfinder.com website where they've got various new or used copies listed. Most of the ones available in this country are very expensive (£100-ish!) but there is one of the reprint versions advertised in Canada at a much more reasonable price. Even with postage it won't break the bank too much.

Good luck

Ian

[phasselgren]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately the book is "Temporarily out of stock" on Amazon Canada and it will probably remain out of stock because it is no longer available from the publisher. The original book from 1989 is more of collectors item and maybe it is better to order the ORBs from the National Archives. The new lower prices makes them affordable.

Regards,
Peter

[ianh]

Hi Peter

I'd recommend you keep looking - copies do pop up from time to time. Was the copy in Canada no longer available? (Must admit I didn't check that closely).

What is it you're after? Anything in particular? I do have a copy of 'Avenging' (picked up an original edition via one of these internet sites - Bookfinder or Abe Books, probably, can't remember which - a year or two ago, but I've also spent several years researching and listing all of 214's wartime ops, primarily from the ORB's up at Kew.

Regards

Ian

[phasselgren]

Hi Ian,

Yes, the copy in Canada was no longer available but I will follow your advice and keep looking.

I am doing a research on claims made by New Zealand Air Gunners during WW2. At least 13 Air Gunners from RNZAF joined 214 Sq during 1940 and 41 followed by more later. It would be interesting to see how much information the book has about these Air Gunners.

During my research I have sofar found two claims made by New Zealand Air Gunners in 214 Sqn:
Ronald Edward Lewis, RAF (but from NZ) on the night 12/13 March 1941, ME.110 destroyed or badly damaged. I have copies of the ORB from this date but if yoy have any other information I am very interested.
Frank Hudson, RNZAF on the night 7/8 February 1945, destroyed a Ju 88. You have already helped me with information about this claim.

If you are interested I have copies of the Monthly Supplementary Narrative of Operations 1943-45 with information about all claims made by 214 Sqn during this period but no names mentioned.

Regards,
Peter

[jmarkley]

The book is available through the City of Norwich Aviation Museum. http://www.cnam.co.uk/shop/index.php
The good news is that it's not too expensive (16 pounds or so), the bad news is that they don't post outside of the UK.
Fortunately for me, I've got a brother in England who grabbed me a copy. Now I've got mine, I'm posting this advice for the benefit of others!

Jonathan