Relentless Skies

Air Vice-Marshal Don Bennett CB CBE DSO FRAeS is best knownas the Australian commander of the Royal Air Force's elite Path Finder Force inthe Second World War. His drive, determination and passion for excellence sawhim play a principal role in prosecuting the bombing campaign against NaziGermany. Yet, the full story of his life has never beencomprehensively explored. Few can recount his exploits as a pioneering aviator,or know why he was regarded as the most technically brilliant airman of hisgeneration. Fewer still know the man's background, interests, passions andobsessions, or what drove him to his many aviation achievements. Relentless Skies, Volume I: The Most Efficient Airman,explores Bennett's life up to 1942. New light is shed on his early years, pilottraining, participation in the Centenary Air Race, setting world records in theseaplane Mercury, the 1940 rescue of the Polish General Staff from France andhow he survived being shot down whilst attacking the Tirpitz. Binding together this series of extraordinary events andachievements is, crucially, an exploration of Bennett's character and how itinfluenced his choices, relationships and approach to leadership. Unparalleledaccess to the Bennett archive has enabled biographer Ian Campbell to reveal themany facets of one of Australia's greatest, and often misunderstood, wartimeleaders. Volume II: An Exacting Task will exploreBennett's time leading the Path Finder Force, and his post-war career.

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