The AVRO LANCASTER
By Francis K Mason
Signed by Bill Townsend 617 Squadron
Signed by the Francis Mason and Dambuster pilot
Flt Lt William Townsend CGM, DFM, 617 Squadron
‘B’ Flight
Dams Raid 16/17 May 1943
Captain ‘O’ Orange
Aston Publications First edition 1989.
Fine condition book in dark blue covers with blue end papers and gold titles. Fine condition unclipped dustjacket. Clean, bright and tight in a protective wrapper.
The most complete, authoritative work on the Lancaster with 438 pages, hundreds of photos, maps, diagrams and full colour general arrangement drawings by the leading expert on the subject.
Flight Lieutenant William “Bill” Townsend CGM DFM (1921–1991) was born in Gloucestershire and educated at Monmouth School. Townsend first joined the Army but transferred to the RAF in 1941 to pursue flying. After training, he was posted to 49 Squadron, where he completed 26 demanding sorties in heavy bombers and earned the Distinguished Flying Medal. His calm precision in the air marked him out early as a dependable operational pilot.
In April 1943, Townsend and his regular crew were selected for Guy Gibson’s newly formed 617 Squadron. Flying Lancaster AJ‑O in the Third Wave, Townsend attacked the Ennepe Dam, making three careful runs in darkness before releasing his mine. Though the dam held, his disciplined flying and leadership were exemplary. The return journey was brutal: AJ‑O was hit by flak near Texel and limped home on three engines, becoming the last aircraft to reach Scampton. Townsend received the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his conduct, courage and skill.
If you only have room for one book on the Lancaster, this is most definitely the one to have and this is a very unusual signed copy.