311 Squadron
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Pavel Vancata
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications
ISBN: 978-8361421-43-6
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 160
The 311 (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron was the only Czech bomber squadron serving in the RAF. Formed in 1940, 311 Squadron initially flew the Wellington in the skies over Europe before switching to Coastal Command in 1942. Operating over the Atlantic, 311 Squadron traded their Wellingtons in for Liberators in 1943, and continued to fly that type while seeking out German u-boats and shipping. In 1945, they returned to Czechoslovakia with their Liberators, where they continued to fly the type until 1948.
This latest title in the Mushroom Model Publications Blue Series provides a very thorough history of 311 Squadron, from its beginnings in 1940 through to the post-war years in Czechoslovakia. The text is nicely written and engaging, while the photo coverage is both thorough and interesting. Of course, no Mushroom book would be complete without color profile illustrations, and this book provides those as well.
What is really nice about this book, though, is the number of appendices. Nearly a dozen of these fill out the last few dozen pages of the book, and these cover just about everything you could possibly want to know about 311 Squadron. These include the bases of 311 Squadron, number of sorties, operations and losses, targets, aircraft flown, aircrews of the squadron (including portraits), and the training provided to the aircrews. There is truly a treasure trove of information provided in these appendices, and it makes for a nice ending to a well-researched title.
My thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.