Author: Derek Robinson
Softcover
Pages: 316
Publisher: Whistle Books, 2009
Robinson
has presented us with another work in his World War 2 British aviation series.
Each of his books may stand alone but are also interwoven with the others; characters
are found overlapping between the novels. All are outstandingly readable,
educating and entertaining.
In the
case of Damned Good Show, Robinson focuses upon 409 Squadron, a bomber unit
flying Hampdens (an early war period two engine long range bomber). The period
in question runs from the early days of the war in 1939 through to early 1942. The
unit is highly motivated and full of characters that, as with all of his books,
grow as the book progresses. The author knows his subject extremely well both
from a technical and psychological perspective. Thus, as the hardships and
horrors of war gradually emerge from the early halcyon days of what the Germans
called Sitzkrieg (sitting war), the reader can follow as the characters begin
to experience the shortfalls of their equipment, doctrine and preparation.
Unique
amongst the authors of books of this nature that I have read, Robinson is able
to pass onto the reader a sense of the impact that war had upon the tightknit
community that was a pre-war bomber squadron in the RAF. Without giving away
the plot, the reader experiences the wrenching and sudden confusion and loss as
characters disappear from the narrative. One becomes reluctant to form an
association, however transient, with a character as you do not realize how long
they will be a part of the text. It is unusual and dislocating for the reader
which is exactly the impact that Robinson wished to convey.
All is
not gloom and doom. Robinson skillfully weaves into the storyline the efforts
of the British propaganda machine to maintain morale during the dark days of
the Blitz and the fall of France. Thus the reader is carried along as the
challenge of what constitutes truth in war is debated and argued from the
perspective of idealistic film makers and “reale politique” government agencies
who realize that truth is perception and not necessarily reality. Caught in between
is the 409 Sqn; representative of the only arm of the British military to be
carrying the fight to the enemy during this period. Film makers, imbedded
within the unit struggle trying to capture a true sense of what happens during
an operation while, at the same time, creating a film that will meet the needs
of the audience.
Robinson
engages the reader and makes them think. His caustic, black humour and the
cynical outlook of his characters capture the essence of those trying to make
sense out of the insanity around them. Of course, finding that they cannot,
they find solace and comfort where they can, when they can and with whom they
can. It is the nature of war.
Robinson
is a master of his trade and his work holds lessons for all who are astute
enough to see them. He entertains and he educates and one cannot ask for more
than that. Well done.
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