Mr Steve Brew has recently announced that his History of 41 Squadron RAF, covering the war years August 1942-May 1945, will be published in December 2012 by Fonthill Media (http://www.fonthillmedia.com) under the title:
BLOOD, SWEAT AND VALOUR
41 Squadron is one of the oldest Royal Air Force squadrons still in existence, and will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2016. The unit saw service in World War I, on Policing Duties in the Middle East in the 1930s, throughout World War II, and more recently in the First Gulf War and Yugoslavia. Sadly, however, its History has never been written. More than just a fascinating account of 41 Squadron between August 1942 and May 1945, BLOOD, SWEAT AND VALOUR will be a fitting memorial to the Squadron’s World War II pilots and ground crew.
By: Jayslater - 17th January 2013 at 10:06
Thanks for the kind words, Steve.
If you guys have any comments and want to share an idea, by all means drop me a line: j.slater (at) fonthillmedia.com
Jay
By: John Shipman - 17th January 2013 at 09:49
Steve’s book
Well done to Steve. Good book and and I am working my way through it now – about half way. Makes you think about all those sorties over the Channel and northern France day after day. Some stamina needed. Seems the malfunctioning drop tanks caused quite a few problems? There were quite a lot of aircraft put into the Channel some with good map references. Suppose they are still there? Steve’s work is first class with comprehensive references which have proved to be very interesting. I eagerly await the next volume……
By: Jayslater - 18th December 2012 at 18:50
Many thanks for Steve for organising the most excellent and memorable event on Saturday for the launch of his book at The RAF Club. Not only was it great to finally meet Steve in person as well as the many guests and veterans, 120 copies were sold on the day!
With very best wishes,
Jay
j.slater (at) fonthillmedia.com
By: N.Wotherspoon - 18th December 2012 at 15:09
Certainly sounds like an interesting book – will try to persuade work to buy a copy 😉
Excavated an ex 41 Sqn. Spitfire XIV a few years ago – RN 210 which was carrying out daily armed reconnaissance sorties whilst based at Eindhoven with 41 Sqn. On the 25th April 1945 it was involved in an incident whilst on operational flying which resulted in it being classified category AC. This resulted in the aircraft being returned to 409 Repair and Servicing Unit – Always wondered what had happened?
By: allan125 - 18th December 2012 at 10:00
Blood, Sweat and Valour – book launch
Hi Andy
Many thanks for the picture, which I will bring to Steve’s attention – very sorry that you were not there as you missed a very good event, which was praised on the day, and later, by senior RAF guests.
Books were going like hot cakes – but I am sure you will be able to obtain one shortly, you will certainly enjoy it!!
cheers
Allan
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th December 2012 at 08:58
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to the RAF Club at the weekend as I had hoped. An early morning run to Reading to pick up son from Uni hot on the heels of a drive to and from Exeter left me a tad knackered and just couldn’t summon the energy to go back up to London that day!
I wanted to meet Steve Brew and the others, and get a copy of the new book – not to mention wanting to give Steve a copy of this 41 Sqn Spitfire photo which I post now for interest:
By: Jayslater - 3rd December 2012 at 13:37
Dear All,
I look forwards to meeting Steve Brew and others at the book launch at The RAF Club. It promises to be an exciting event as well as promoting Blood, Sweat and Valour. Steve’s book is the last word on No. 41 Squadron and also confirms that Fonthill Media as a leading aviation/military/history publisher.
See you there!
With very best wishes,
Jay Slater
Publisher
Fonthill Media
By: allan125 - 1st December 2012 at 14:35
41 Squadron – Blood, Sweat and Valour
Hi Andy
I read somewhere on the forum you were decorating, so no problem – also at the book launch is Air Marshal Sir Christopher Nigel Harper KBE, former 41 squadron Jaguar pilot in 1979, later 41 squadron C.O. between 1994-1997 during the Bosnia campaign, so appropriate for the occasion, as well as several other former C.O.’s, and the current incumbent.
cheers
Allan
By: Arabella-Cox - 1st December 2012 at 09:12
Allan
Bit tied up today, but I will scan and send late this evening or tomorrow. Will try to post here, too.
Have just had an invite to the 41 Sqn book launch at RAF Club, anyway, so may attend.
By: allan125 - 1st December 2012 at 08:57
41 Squadron – Blood, Sweat and Valour – info from Steve Brew
For the attention of Andy Saunders, ref the photo, and any other interested parties – I have received this reply from Steve who is rather tied up at present with work and the book launch:
“I see four possible candidates:
12APR42 Palmer, Wilfred Vb W3852 Shot Down, POW, St. Omer
12APR42 Stok, Bram van der Vb BL595 Shot Down, POW, St. Omer (escaped)
12APR42 Rood, Albert van Vb W3654 Shot Down, WIA, POW, St. Omer
12APR42 Watts, Edward G. H. Vb W3450 Shot Down, KIA, St. Omer, F.
As Watts’ aircraft has already been identified, that leaves the aircraft of Palmer, van der Stok and van Rood.
There are currently no other suitable casualties.
A cross reference with known aircraft codes suggests that W3654 was EB-V and W3450 was EB-H, which narrows it down to possibly being Palmer’s W3852 or van der Stok’s BL595.
As van der Stok was in ‘A’ Flight (he was OC A Flt), and Palmer in B Flight, a higher-lettered serial such as ‘W’ may imply the aircraft in the photo was Palmer’s.
I have no record of a name on the fuselage, but would be very interested to see the picture, if I may?”
Allan
By: allan125 - 24th November 2012 at 13:46
41 Squadron
Hi Andy
I have passed on your comment about the photo to Steve Brew – if he doesn’t respond I will ask him when I see him at the book launch next month.
From personal experience of both volumes I can assure you that you will be pleased with them – even if you have to wait a bit longer for volume 1 !!
cheers
Allan
By: zorglub - 23rd November 2012 at 15:33
Hi Dan ,
They were seen ( around 20 ! ) but I don’t have them alas . ECPA-D don’t release them , only for purposed publication .
By: Dan Johnson - 23rd November 2012 at 15:25
Possibly W3654 , lost 12 April 1942 . Pilot P/O A van Rood POW . Aircraft seen with small fuselage roundel on crash-site. There were also pictures of crashed EB-H W3450 , F/Sgt Watts killed same day .
Also seen at ECPA-D several pictures of crashed Spit XII EN235 EB-S , F/O R. Hogarth killed 18 July 1943 , with Kurt Goltzsch who claimed it .
Those of EN235 I’d really like to see someday
By: zorglub - 23rd November 2012 at 15:12
Possibly W3654 , lost 12 April 1942 . Pilot P/O A van Rood POW . Aircraft seen with small fuselage roundel on crash-site. There were also pictures of crashed EB-H W3450 , F/Sgt Watts killed same day .
Also seen at ECPA-D several pictures of crashed Spit XII EN235 EB-S , F/O R. Hogarth killed 18 July 1943 , with Kurt Goltzsch who claimed it .
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd November 2012 at 13:45
Hope Steve does really well with this.
Mine definitely on order!
Incidentally, I have just come across a photo of a Spitfire V, circa 1942, in a scrap yard which I believe to be St.Omer, France.
It is coded EB-W, but I cannot see any serial. It has the name “Peggy” painted forward of cockpit, port side.
If anyone has any ideas, or can pass this on to Steve if he is interested, then I’d be grateful!
By: Dan Johnson - 23rd November 2012 at 02:50
Mk XII EN224 EB-L.
Can’t wait. 🙂
Mark
There you go teasing us again! Not even a sneak peak yet? 🙂
By: Mark12 - 22nd November 2012 at 16:42
Mk XII EN224 EB-L.
Can’t wait. 🙂
Mark
By: allan125 - 22nd November 2012 at 16:16
41 Squadron – Blood, Sweat and Valour
Quite agree with the comments from Dan Johnson as I have been lucky enough to read some of it as well whilst providing a little help here and there.
Steve is now working on Blood, Sweat and Courage – September 1939 – July1942 – but we will have to wait a little bit longer for that one!!
By: Dan Johnson - 21st November 2012 at 17:41
Having contributed to this book and also having been lucky enough to read some of it already, I can tell you that Steve did a fantastic job on this. The book will be well worth getting.
By: John Shipman - 21st November 2012 at 16:45
41 Squadron
Steve Brew now has a website devoted to his book on 41 Squadron. Although the book does not yet appear on the publisher’s website, it will soon, but I am informed that the RRP will be GBP£35.00. At 992 pages, with a 5.5cm spine, it will be a big book! The website details are : http://brew.clients.ch/BSV.htm for those interested in a bit of the background to the work.
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August 27, 2012 at 7:14 pm