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Flak
- Narrated by: Michael Veitch
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
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Flak
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Publisher's summary
Michael Veitch's life-long obsession with the aircraft of the Second World War led him to conclude that every single person who flew, or flew in them has at least one extraordinary story to tell. With most of these veterans in their 80s, he knew that it was a matter of urgency to find them now, before their personal stories disappear forever.
So, over the course of a year, Veitch interviewed over 50 former aircrew across Australia, many of whom had never spoken about their experiences before, even to their families. The result is FLAK - a collection of vivid, unforgettable stories from RAAF veterans about their experiences of combat in World War II. It is also an account of the strange, sometimes obsessive journey of the author himself, as he explores a passion held since childhood.
From bomber pilots to fighter aces, from rear gunners to bomb aimers, from stories of death and fear to tales of humor and comradeship, Michael has helped unearth the extraordinary stories of ordinary men living and fighting in extraordinary times.
Editorial reviews
Michael Veitch delivers an engaging and passionate performance of his nonfiction book FLAK. Since childhood, he had an obsession with Second World War aircraft. He believed that the men who flew these machines had incredible stories to share, but many of these narratives had not yet been recorded. Over a year, he set off to interview former bomber pilots, fighter aces, rear gunners, and bomb aimers living in Australia. These veterans were in their 80s, but their stories remained as vivid and unforgettable as the day they happened.
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What listeners say about Flak
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Ron
- 03-08-09
What? someone other than Americans flew in WW2?
It was refreshing to hear stories that did not revolve around the USAAF bombers and crew. I'm not faulting them at all, i have nothing but admiration for them.
But there were others in the fight and this is their story. It is a series of vignettes featuring airman from Austrailia and New Zealand. They have remarkable first-hand accounts of what they did to aide Britain in the European theater while their own homeland was under attack.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lorne
- 02-03-23
Always good
Recommend all his stuff to ww2 aviation buffs, thankfully he took the the time to seek out and interview these people. High marks.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Marcia Y.
- 02-20-09
Wow!
As an American I just didn't realize how much the Australian's did. Thank you for opening my eyes! Really enjoyed this one and his other book that Audible has. Listened to both at least twice. I hadn't realized that the German pilots never got a break until I listened to this but it made sense after I heard it in their own words. Thanks for of the eye opening experience!
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Brooke P. Anderson
- 05-12-10
Marvelous
To me, this book is a "must read" for anyone who loves WWII aviation history.
This book has great stories, and the author is a masterful writer and narrator. I've read (and listened to) a lot of military history -- I loved this one. Also, I liked that many of the stories were from RAAF pilots and crew. There aren't as many books from their point of view, and this book, in addition to being marvelous just on its own without any qualifications, is an excellent source from and tribute to those pilots.
Thank you, Michael Veitch, for this wonderful book.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 04-11-12
Simply a "Must Read"
I was disappointed to see a reviewer critical of this book for recounting a story told by a former flyer. Sure it was an ugly truth that there was mistrust and national rivalries between the Allies. It remains a regrettable and tragic fact, but I do not think we should ignore that reality.
The incident recounted in this book is one person's story. There are many other tremendous stories laid down in this book.
I have no desire to hear sanitised patriotic history. I prefer to learn how things really were - right or wrong, politically correct or woefully biased.
It is not the author's view, but the recollection of one individual who was there. Surely, as readers, we can accept that the terror of war in those urgent times led to many fears, suspicions, rivalries and tragedies.
I found the author's warmth of understanding for the veterans to be touching. He has done a great job of sensitively opening very deep memories. This book is a great effort at preserving history and I could not recommend it more highly.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- John Eiklor
- 10-08-10
Very Disappointing
I love accounts of the brave men of WWII. This book however is not recommended if you happen to be an American how feels our country contributed greatly to the defeat of Germany and Japan. Mr Vietch, and his self described lefty leanings, takes every opportunity ti portray American air crews as incompetent, disliked by their allied counter parts. According to the men interviewed this hatred was to the degree that in chapter 17 he recounts the RAF and RAAF pilots cheering on the German pilot attacking an American bomber. I have walked away from this book placing the Australians on par with the French, and based on this work, I frankly am of the opinion, we should have allowed the Aussies to become a Japanese colony.
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