Customer Reviews

The Forgotten Few: 77 RAAF Squadron in Korea

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The Australian participation in the Korean War has for many years been largely overlooked. Much like the conflict itself, it seemed to be lost between the enormity of World War Two and the controversy of Vietnam. Doug Hurst's newly released "The Forgotten Few" has gone a long way to resolving this oversight for those who served with 77 Squadron RAAF.

In a thoroughly researched and well written effort, Hurst has integrated the first hand experience and opinion of those who actually flew in the conflict. The resultant book is a tremendous balance of history and entertainment, which would be of equal interest to a veteran or their grandkids. It traces 77 Squadron's early commitment flying Mustangs from their Japanese bases through their subsequent conversion and operations in the Gloster Meteor F8. From bomber escorts to ground attack and air-to-air engagements, the squadron and its pilots are thrust from role to role and base to base with minimal time to keep pace with an equally dynamic conflict that raged up and down the Korean Peninsula. Further underpinning the text are insights into the strategy, tactics and politics of the war which add yet another dimension of interest and understanding.

For much of the war, the pilots of 77 Squadron faced a one-in-four chance of being killed or taken prisoner. For those who met this fate and for those who served and survived, this book is not only an accurate record, but also a fitting tribute to a band of brothers who etched their own very significant mark in the war torn skies of Korea. Deservedly, this record goes a long way towards telling their story and ensuring that they are no longer "The Forgotten Few".

Owen Zupp
www.owenzupp.com

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