Flak Audiobook By Michael Veitch cover art

Flak

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Flak

By: Michael Veitch
Narrated by: Michael Veitch
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About this listen

 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 eighties, he knew that it was a matter of urgency to find them now, before their personal stories disappear forever. From bomber pilots to fighter aces, from rear gunners to bomb aimers, from stories of death and fear to tales of humour and comradeship, Michael has helped unearth the extraordinary stories of ordinary men living and fighting in extraordinary times.©2006 Michael Veitch. (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing World Witty
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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.

Critic reviews

"A collection of vivid, unforgettable stories from RAAF veterans about their experiences of combat in World War II ... Michael has helped unearth the extraordinary stories of ordinary men living and fighting in extraordinary times." (The Herald Sun)
"Inspired by his fascination with WWII aircraft, Australian comedian Michael Veitch tracked down RAAF pilots, collecting their accounts of an extraordinary time. The result is surprisingly personal – instead of tales of adventure, the emphasis is on how pilots coped with fear, malfunctioning equipment, the loss of friends, and the constant presence of death. Veitch, an Aussie celebrity, describes his experiences tracking down the stories but usually lets the pilots' accounts take over. He reads their recollections with a voice that's respectful and excited at the same time. While aimed at Australian audiences, the book's focus on pilots provides a historical view on the war that will interest many other listeners as well." (AudioFile Magazine)
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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.

What? someone other than Americans flew in WW2?

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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!

Wow!

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Recommend all his stuff to ww2 aviation buffs, thankfully he took the the time to seek out and interview these people. High marks.

Always good

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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.

Marvelous

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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.

Simply a "Must Read"

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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.

Very Disappointing

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