Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Tail Gunner

By: R. C. Rivaz
Narrated by: William Huggins
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.95

Buy for $14.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

This gripping story of one man’s involvement in RAF Bomber Command’s fledgling offensive was first published in 1943.

Written only months after the events described, R. C. Rivaz provides a uniquely fresh and immediate perspective on some of the most harrowing episodes of the war.

He was tail gunner to Leonard Cheshire, one of the most famous RAF pilots of the Second World War, and flew in Whitleys with 102 Squadron and Halifaxes with 35 Squadron.

Rivaz describes his experiences of nighttime bombing attacks against heavily defended enemy targets like Duisburg, Dusseldorf, and Essen, recording in captivating detail the sights and sounds of these dangerous nighttime raids.

He describes equally well the color pallet of the setting sun from 15,000 feet and his turbulent mind-set as he prepares for each death-defying mission.

He relates a dramatic shoot-out with German fighters over La Rochelle in broad daylight and describes his near-death encounters with cool but honest detail.

Rivaz also describes two agonizing crashes over the sea, one occasion of which he waits nearly frozen for seven hours, buffeted by stormy weather in a rubber dinghy.

Tail Gunner is not only unrivalled in its immediacy and insight, but gripping and eminently listenable.

©2019 R.C. Rivaz (P)2019 R.C. Rivaz
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Tail Gunner

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Unique book, reads like a diary

The book will give you an idea of what bomber crews thought of the war, and the risks of it. The unavoidably high odds of being shot down color every page. Honest and detailed. The author is unassuming about his bravery. The narration is good. Another reviewer mentioned the audio quality is not great -- he's right, but it didn't distract me from the book and I'd recommend it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!