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  • The Pathfinders

  • The Elite RAF Force That Turned the Tide of WWII
  • By: Will Iredale
  • Narrated by: Richard Burnip
  • Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (177 ratings)
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The Pathfinders cover art

The Pathfinders

By: Will Iredale
Narrated by: Richard Burnip
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin. 

Military History Matters Book of the Year Bronze Award Winner 

The incredible story of the crack team of men and women who transformed RAF Bomber Command and helped the Allies deliver decisive victory over Nazi Germany.

The Pathfinders were ordinary men and women from a range of nations who revolutionised the efficiency of the Allies' air campaign over mainland Europe. They elevated Bomber Command—initially the only part of the Allied war effort capable of attacking the heart of Nazi Germany—from an impotent force on the cusp of disintegration in 1942 to one capable of razing whole German cities to the ground in a single night, striking with devastating accuracy, inspiring fear and loathing in Hitler's senior command.

With exclusive interviews with remaining survivors, personal diaries and previously classified records, The Pathfinders brings to life the characters of the airmen and women—many barely out of their teens—who took to the skies in legendary British aircraft such as the Lancaster and the Mosquito, facing almost unimaginable levels of violence from enemy fighter planes to strike at the heart of the Nazi war machine.

©2021 Will Iredale (P)2021 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Pathfinders

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A Little known group within Bomber Command

This book is a terrific listen on audible. A story of a group formed from within Bomber command to improve on the targeting accuracy at a time when if the bombs fell within 5 miles of the target you were lucky.
The book has everything, bravery, determination, commitment, disappointment. So many human interest stories involving love and loss. The appalling casualties of bombers and bombed. The politics of the time are brought to light in what seems to me to be fair assessments. Throughout the camaraderie of the pathfinders crews shines out for us all to admire
Excellent narration
The author has brought so many stories of the men and women involved to the book that would otherwise have gone unheard.

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A little Gem

I loved it, 11 words to describe a brilliant book, not enough, to describeabrilliantread, marvelous

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Well researched + interesting personal stories

My mother was an air traffic controller at Warboys, a Pathfinder base. The book has helped me understand more about my mother’s service life.

This well researched book describes the history of the Pathfinders including the development of units, the technological developments, the political battles and the effects of using the Pathfinders.

In every section one or two, well chosen, individual, personal stories of how the the developments and the war affect individuals.

The narration is good.

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A wonderful book

A history of the very brave crews of bomber command during the Second World War. Without them the outcome of the conflict may have had a very different outcome.

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a good listen

Narration quite engaging. The author demonstrates a lack of technical knowledge or research in a couple of places but overall worth listening to.

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The path finders

A great audio book, superbly narrated by Richard Burnip. Once I started listening to it, I simp!y couldn't stop.

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Excellent account of an amazing force

Very informative and interesting read, detailing the story of one of the second world wars most accomplished and courageous forces. The story of the pathfinders is expertly detailed in both the men and the organisational aspects.
Always humbled by the story of these guys.

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Fascinating Book

This book provides a fascinating insight to the people, the operations, the impact on the ground.
It throws a new light and detail on a section of the air war that I had not known that much about prior to this point. A welcome read.

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Outstanding narration

This is an interestingly written book, presenting the events of history through telling some stories about the lives of those living through the events.
The book for me however was brought to a complete other level of engagement by the superb narration. Utterly brilliant.

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Fascinating and moving

Having no knowledge or prior interest in the Pathfinders, this excellent book opened my eyes to so much.
What a great debt we owe to these young men now almost all gone. This book told their story plus the bravery of this generation of the young men and women.
We must remember them.
It also highlighted the death and destruction of war.
The narration was perfect for this book. One certainly to listen to again.

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