Laurence Irving (1897–1988)

In this volume of WW2 memoirs the author, an RNAS and RAF pilot in WW1, resumes his association with the RAF. Now piloting a desk as a press censor in France 1939/40 and later as intelligence officer with a wing of tactical recconaissance Mustangs from Dieppe, through D-Day and on towards Germany. A desk not without intense personnal risk.
Between the wars he was an artist and production designer in both Hollywood and the English theatre. This association comes out in his book as many apropos, but sometimes tangential, asides. He has a ready turn of phrase and provides an intimate view of a rarely recorded side of RAF operations. At the end of the book his comments on the planners failure to employ the knowledge of his squadrons' experiences around Arnhem provide a unique view of a Bridge Too Far.… (mehr)