Bennett and the Pathfinders

This tells the story of the Pathfinders, an elite group of flying aces who worked ahead of US and RAF night bombing missions to lay flares and beams. It is a tale of great bravery, extraordinary navigational skills and advanced flying strategies which ensured the success of the night bombing raids. When the Allies sought to win World War II by bombing raids on Germany, it was soon realized that daylight flights were too dangerous and nightflights too inaccurate. Arthur Harris charged an Australian flying ace, Don Bennett, with the task of creating an elite group who could fly ahead of the main aircraft to lay flares and beams. This group, called the Pathfinders, was composed of members of British and Commonwealth air forces acting together. This book assesses the value of the Pathfinders in the wartime air strategy, and also contains stories of exciting air action, innovative flying, charismatic characters and behind-the scenes controversies.