Innocents at War Books
When Empires Collide … As WWI approaches, Anglo-American pilot, Tommy Stark joins the embryonic Royal Flying Corps. Never far from his mind is squire’s daughter, Grace; childhood friends, over time their friendship intensifies. With the conflict escalating, Tommy completes training, earning his RFC Wings. After fulfilling social commitments with the County Set, and getting a chance to test a new Sopwith aeroplane, he is sent to France to do battle with the enemy. About the Series The Royal Flying Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force. Innocents At War follows the career of teenage pilot, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence. Published by The Electronic Book Company
A Deadly Caper… The death toll rises as the War intensifies. In England, teenage pilot, Tommy Stark marries his childhood sweetheart. Then he’s tasked with assessing the capabilities of the planes being developed for the RFC, before re-joining his squadron. The young and mainly inexperienced pilots take part in a series of operations in which the use of new weaponry and tactics results in more deaths on both sides of the conflict. Tommy’s half-brother is implicated in a shocking food supply scandal. Best read in series order. About the Series The Royal Flying Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force. Innocents at War follows the career of Anglo-American flier, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence... Published by The Electronic Book Company
No Longer A Game… The RFC is desperate to train more pilots to replace those killed in action and in training. With a major ground offensive imminent, there is an urgent need to form specialist squadrons to support the troops. However, the German Fokkers are an ever-present threat. Against this back-drop, Tommy is given the almost impossible task of training up fledgling pilots who are hell bent on treating the Corps as a private lounge club. There is no time to spare as he battles to have the pilots ready for the lethal conflicts to come. Best read in series order. About the Series The Royal Flying Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force. Innocents at War follows the career of Anglo-American flier, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence. Published by The Electronic Book Company
Dark Days of Summer… Despite the lack of suitable aircraft, there is a major effort by the RFC to establish control of the skies over the Western Front in the lead up to the Battle of the Somme. Noah Arkwright marries Mrs Wyndham and faces an awkward introduction to her aristocratic family. With no expectation of the war ending soon, attitudes harden and people begin to question the government and the military’s handling of the ever-worsening situation. A fatalistic cynicism envelopes those closest to the bloody action. Best read in series order. About the Series: The Royal Flying Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force. Innocents at War follows the career of Anglo-American flier, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence. Published by The Electronic Book Company
Bursting Balloons… A spell in Britain on a morale boosting tour of factories and coalmines leaves Tommy and Noah distinctly underwhelmed and they are eager to return to France. Tommy’s squadron is eventually given the new Sopwith which proves to be an excellent fighter. As the war drags on, discontent spreads from the lower ranks up to senior level. However, the official line is that it is all going jolly well and plans are laid to break through the German defences near Ypres. Best read in series order. About the Series: The Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force. Innocents at War follows the career of Anglo-American flier, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence... Published by The Electronic Book Company
A Wretched Victory… 1918: Ludendorff makes his predicted Spring Offensive and takes Haig by surprise! Tommy’s pilots are forced to use low flying tactics to thwart the advance. The relentless daily raids are effective, but the loss of pilots and growing fatigue make them unsustainable. The arrival in strength of the Americans ends the German advance and then the ravages of the Spanish Flu’ turn the tide of war against Germany. Books best read in series order. About the Series: The Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force. Innocents at War follows the career of Anglo-American flier, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence. Published by The Electronic Book Company
Late 1943 and Thomas Stark has been at war or training hard since ’37. He has had too few breaks, each followed by another demanding posting, fighting against unnecessary odds, due to the lack of modern planes and trained men in the right places. Now, with the battle turning in the Allied favour in Papua, he is posted out again, to take over a Wing flying outdated Hurricanes in ground attack in the Naga Hills and the north of Burma. India is changing, rapidly, due in great part to the war. The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have been equipped with modern weaponry and are taking a leading role in the war against Japan. The sahibs remain in a state of denial, bolstered by London, but it is now clear that India must become independent within a few years. For many of the sahibs, winning the war is less important than defending their privileged way of life. Increasingly tired, Thomas has to fight a war while watching his back. Burma was the last defensive campaign, facing a victorious Japanese Army that had a chance of winning again, and in process of taking the whole of India. The Allied armies had run from Singapore to the Indian borders in a series of disgraceful defeats; now they had to win.