CRASH IN BAYEUX, the Last Flight of Sergeant Ferguson (sold with 2 exclusive bookmarks, see the 1st scan)

The story of an RCAF Canadian pilot from Peterborough / Ontario down in Normandy for the freedom of Europe. This book is based on an incredible story never published before with many items showed presenting Sergeant Ferguson. The book describes his recruitment, his training, his integration into the No 401 Squadron, the missions until the very last one. A lively account mixing historical precision and deep emotion. Many pictures and documents come from private/family archives.

Description

>> 112 pages (including 16 full-color pages), 16x24 cm.

>> ENGLISH Text 

>> Soft cover

>> Weight : around 400 grams

>> Note this book is available too with French text (please see my other auctions)

Text from back cover

Normandy, France, January 15, 1943. The weather is clear, the sun is shining. Two Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft fly over the Bayeux-Caen railroad. The target is a German freight train – and its locomotive. Aboard the first Spitfire, Sergeant Ferguson is aligning his gun sights on the target. It is 02:30 p.m. This will be his very last flight… 

HARASSING THE OCCUPYING FORCES TO PREPARE THE INVASION

The RAF and RCAF had been flying hundreds of similar sorties over France for months, in order to weaken the German forces, particularly the Luftwaffe. The pilots of No. 401 Squadron were among those who took part in this patient work, made up of constant patrols and attacks. Among the 63 men mentioned in this book, 25 were killed in action between 1942 and 1944.

A CRASH THAT AWOKE THE SPIRIT OF RESISTANCE

Touched by William Ferguson’s sacrifice, some French citizens decided to bury the young Canadian flier with dignity, honour and respect. The Germans took this as a provocation. A few weeks later, the Sipo-SD (the “Gestapo”) arrested a dozen of them. They were sent to concentration camps – some of them later died in Büchenwald, Dachau and Mauthausen. Others did survive, including Paul Le Caër. He is the one who has supported the author and told him what happened. Today, he is signing the preface of this book. 

UNPUBLISHED DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONIES

Based on an in-depth analysis of unpublished documents, including the Fergusons’ archives and No. 401 Squadron Operation Record Book, this work depicts the very last flight of the young Canadian pilot in detail. With a striking truthfulness, you will relive the squadron’s daily life, the faith of the pilots, as well as the beginning of the sortie and “Bill” Ferguson’s last minutes.

FIVE YEARS OF RESEARCH AND EMOTION

A young and talented historian involved in the field of remembrance in Normandy, François Oxéant has spent over five years fitting the pieces of the puzzle together. This book will help you discover all aspects of his fascinating investigation with a methodical and rigorous approach. He has met some of the last witnesses of the events and has been in touch with the pilot’s family for a few years, making us share his emotion and admiration for Bill, who was barely younger than himself.

> F5231028

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> Envoi sous pli très bien protégé (film+moussage/bull pack+carton) en point relais SHOP2SHOP (e-Chronopost), plus économique mais SANS remboursement en cas de perte, envoi en COLISSIMO sur simple demande de votre part. 

> Shipping abroad by International Colissimo (French post). Package with excellent protection (film+foam/bullpack+carboard).

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