A Barnoldswick author hopes to see sales soar after the publication of his diary on one of the Second World War’s leading RAF squadrons.
Retired engineer John Reid (72), of Coates Fields, has published a comprehensive account of RAF 199 Squadron’s activities from its reformation in November, 1942 until the war’s finish in July, 1945.
The book, entitled “Let Tyrants Tremble”, charts the squadron’s role in the war starting with the flying of Wellington bombers in bomber command when it was based at RAF Blyton and Lakenheath to the squadron’s move to the Stirling bomber which was also used to drop supplies to the French and Norwegian resistance fighters.
The squadron’s highly-skilled crew members were also later part of secret, experimental missions to outfox the German opposition from its final base at RAF North Creake in Norfolk.
Mr Reid’s “labour of love” with the squadron began in 1982 when he discovered a mural of a lost Stirling painted on a wall in a derelict building of the former airbase.
The mural was recovered and was given a new home at the RAF’s museum at Hendon.
Mr Reid can’t believe what started out as a hobby has ended up the way it has and admits one crucial part of the research was discovered by chance at RAF Quedgeley when detailed flying records were found.
Mr Reid said: “It all started in the early 80s when I saw a mural on the wall of the old flight office at North Creake.
“Somebody had written RIP 16/4/44 next to it and with the date, I had the squadron code EX-N and the plane’s serial number LJ531 to go on.”
Mr Reid’s research took off from there, and more than three decades later he approached a publisher with an archive of information.
Mr Reid, who in his spare time is renovating and rebuilding a Bradley steam powered engine at Barnoldswick’s Bancroft Mill, added: “I sent in all my information and within two weeks I had a contract. That felt really good.
“And now it has been printed and come back, it’s beyond all my expectations in terms of quality of the print, the paper and the finish. It’s brilliant.”
Mr Reid is launching the book at the refurbished control tower at RAF North Creake this weekend as part of Heritage Open Weekend.
To purchase a copy, email john.reid2735@btinternet.com or contact Stenlake Publishing on 01290 551122.