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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 Veteran

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Editor 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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Excellent , informative and entertaining! An important and noble project to save these valuable stories from being lost forever!

Entertaining and informative

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Would you listen to FLAK again? Why?

No.

Any additional comments?

If you are into planes and the history of that era it is well worth a listen, from Lancs, to P40's to Brewsters to Dakotas. All the people who flew in them.

One of the best and never got bored at all. Recommend

really enjoyed it

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First hand accounts of bravery from amazing people doing amazing acts. Well worth listening to.

A great audio book

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This is so humbling to listen to these Aussies talk about their experiences during the war. As they talk about their experiences in a so matter of fact manner.That it beggers belief that they are actually talking about frontline combat which more than likely made them fill their pants!!!! The narrator talks you through the approaching stories in the same matter of fact tone as the actual combatants do themselves. Yet all the time they are telling their stories. These men talk down their bravery as nothing more than they were just doing their job. As it was a job that needed doing!! All through this audio book there were moments of hilarity....as long as you have the same sence of humour as the Aussies....as well as sadness at the losses they experienced. Though moreso their indomitable spirit and loyalty speaks volumes with their own spoken words. This is definatly well worth listening to folks. Find out for yourselves how brave these men were and how they just played their war time experiences down to what can only be described as, in their own words, "nothing special" An absoulute brilliant listen, very humbling and educational to boot.

FLAK

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I'm quite familiar with the WWII air war over Europe, and the contribution made by "empire" pilots and crew, but this is a fascinating account of the war in Europe, Africa and the South Pacific as seen through Australian eyes.
Veitch, initially in an unplanned way, began to capture and record accounts of wartime experience from Australians who had served in and around the allied air forces during WWII, and this book is his retelling of these firshand and very personal accounts, often in the words of the participants.
Its been a very enjoyable listen and I learned much.
Rather than concentrating exclusively on the fighter pilots and bomber crews, there are fascinating accounts from flying boat crews, air reconnaissance pilots, transport pilots and crews and of captivity and of rescue. Although for obvious reasons many of the accounts focus on Europe, I was unaware how much Australia itself had been bombed by the Japanese, and that the RAAF operated so extensively in the South Pacific.
There is much dry, irreverent Aussie humour. The reading is warm and engaging. Only after listening did I realise this was actually the voice of the author himself. He does a fine job of reading his own material. There are also moments of great poignancy however - both in time of conflict, and after.
This is a fine book, both for listeners familiar with the war in the air, and those yet to become so, and I recommend it.
Veitch was given so much material that could not be included in this book that he has written a sequel "Fly" , and I am off to download this next.

Enjoyable, informative and at times haunting.

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Was a wee bit suspicious that this might prove to be another one of the numerous tombs pertaining to the Second World War that is either far too serious and detailed (at least for my boredom threshold) or so badly written that you want to grab the author and teach them basic writing skills (keep my references to my self). This book was neither, the stories were varied, amusing (sometimes in a way that you'd only expect from the antipodes) and very gripping with more than a few emotive moments of sadness, relief and delight shared with the various contributors. Looking forward to obtaining the sequel.

Great flying memoirs from the heroes down under.

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Brilliant audiobook... rivetting, entertaining and humbling.....draws you into the story til the end...and brings a year to the eye at times!!.

Every bit as good as the reviews say it is!.

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Thank you Michael Veitch for all three books, what a beautiful thing you've done, I was am inspired and moved by the men you met, I was a air cadet and loved the flying but being from a poor back ground I never imagined being able to become a pilot, but now in the free modern world made possible by these great heroes I am going to enrol in flight school and earn my wings!

Inspired

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My first review for Audible brought about by the need to express my admiration for 'Flak' and the reader/author, Michael Veitch. Michael if you are reading this 'Good on you, mate!' you certainly 'got it' in my opinion, The book and your narration scored at every level, the factual account, historical notes, humor, drama and respect came through in each chapter. More than any film or other book I have read this audio book had me flying over the Bass Straits on the way to work and then the French coast on the way home. As soon as I 'landed' it was straight onto Wikipedia researching the facts and figures I'd been listening to, I'm still enjoying the book long after it ended!
Should you spend a credit on this? Did you ever make an Airfix kit? Did you ever hear a Merlin engine? Ever see a Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane flypast? Need I say more?
Finally to the 'boys' involved. Michael's book and rendition underlines the respect, thanks and awe in which he (and I) regard these not-forgotten men (and women) caught up in an extraordinary time.
Off to download the next book 'Fly' now - happy commuting!

Just the ticket!

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Having already listened to Fly by the same author this was a must buy. Thanks to everyone who gave their insights to create this fascinating book

fabulous book.

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