Angry Skies: Recollections Of Australian Combat Fliers

An exciting and dramatic collection of stories from some of our unsung heroes of the skies. Airmen who have served in all major conflicts retell their extraordinary experiences of life and war in the RAAF.

There is a special glamour attached to fighter pilots. The high levels of technical skill they must master, the solitariness of their difficult work and their bravery combine to create a powerful mystique.

For several years Flight Lieutenant Ken Llewellyn has been recording the reminiscences of airmen of the RAAF. Author and storyteller Mike Hayes has collaborated with him to bring these dramatic and powerful stories to life on the page in this fascinating collection.

'Angry Skies' includes accounts from the Great War, when aerial combat newly emerged, and WWII, when it became an established feature of modern warfare to which a great many Australians gave their lives. There are also tales from Korea and Vietnam, and on to flying with the RAAF in East Timor.

The various airmen talk of their motivation and training, the adventure of going overseas and the trauma of flying missions and bombing raids. Ken's questions in the original interviews always sought to probe the deeper aspects of their stirring yarns. He discussed with this colourful bunch their feelings and reflections and encouraged them to reveal the raw emotion at the core of duty and discipline.