
Main Force to Mosquito Master Bomber
The Story of Wing Commander Eric Benjamin DFC & Bar
Fighting High Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 13. May 2024
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-8380687-4-5 (ISBN)
Description
Wing Commander Eric Benjamin was no stranger to danger or excitement. In an action-packed career as part of the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR), he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice for his bravery under fire. He flew Fairey Battles with No. 150 Squadron during the Battle of France, Main Force Avro Lancasters with No. 61 Squadron during the Battle of Berlin, and De Havilland Mosquitoes as an elite Pathfinder Master Bomber in the latter stages of the war. He survived being shot down on his first operation, when his air gunner was severely wounded, and was among the last RAF aircrew to be evacuated from France in the summer of 1940. He was pulled clear of the mangled wreckage of a Vickers Wellington that crashed in flames during a spell as an instructor, narrowly escaping with his life for a second time, and 'starred' as a Flight Commander interviewed for Pathe News after a successful raid on Berlin in 1943. Towards the end of 1944, he achieved his ambition of flying Mosquitoes, and was selected and trained as a Master Bomber, operating as part of No. 54 Base in No. 5 Group and helping to mop up what was left of German industry and military might. It was from one of these sorties that his aircraft failed to return.
Authored by Sean Feast and Eric's daughter Jeannie, the book includes numerous previously unpublished photographs of Eric, his colleagues, and the aircraft he flew. An inveterate letter writer, Eric once said of flying that there was 'no greater sport'. He died as he had lived, doing what he loved best.
Authored by Sean Feast and Eric's daughter Jeannie, the book includes numerous previously unpublished photographs of Eric, his colleagues, and the aircraft he flew. An inveterate letter writer, Eric once said of flying that there was 'no greater sport'. He died as he had lived, doing what he loved best.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Illustrations
approx 45 black and white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 164 mm
Width: 241 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
498 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-8380687-4-5 (9781838068745)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Sean Feast works in PR and advertising and is an acclaimed Bomber Command historian and author, including numerous volumes of Fighting High's 'Failed to Return' series, 'Thunder Bird in Bomber Command', 'Missing Presumed Murdered', and 'The Lost Graves of Peenemuende'.
Jeannie Benjamin is the daughter of the subject of the book, Wing Command Eric Benjamin.
Jeannie Benjamin is the daughter of the subject of the book, Wing Command Eric Benjamin.