Mosquito cover art

Mosquito

The RAF's Legendary Wooden Wonder and Its Most Extraordinary Mission

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Mosquito

By: Rowland White
Narrated by: Roy McMillan
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Built of lightweight wood, powered by two growling Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, impossibly aerodynamic, headspinningly fast and armed to the teeth, the de Havilland Mosquito was the war-winning wonder that should never have existed: the aircraft the RAF didn't think it wanted then couldn't do without.

Flying on operations barely eighteen months after a single prototype was ordered off the drawing board, it was the answer to its pilots' prayers: a stunningly versatile warplane capable of leaving the Luftwaffe in its wake to attack when and where the enemy was least expecting it.

Excelling as a spyplane, night-fighter and pathfinder for Bomber Command's heavies the Mossie's reputation was cemented by a series of daredevil bombing raids across occupied Europe, including on Berlin itself, where only surprise, speed and precision could ensure success.

So when Churchill's top secret Special Operations Executive needed to destroy the Gestapo HQ in the centre of downtown Copenhagen to prevent a devastating Nazi last stand that might prolong the war for many months, there was only one machine for the job - the Mosquito.

This is the story of that legendary aircraft told through that one impossible mission.

Like Rowland White's previous books, Mosquito is an unputdownable mix of utterly compelling storytelling, incredible human stories and fascinating technological detail, which sheds never-before-told light on a pivotal mission that helped bring the war to its bloody and brutal close.

©2023 Rowland White (P)2023 Penguin Audio
Engineering History History & Culture Military Aviation War Winston Churchill Technology Air Force

Critic Reviews

'Exciting and breathtakingly pacy.' (Andy McNab)

'A masterwork of narrative history.' (Clive Cussler)

All stars
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Enthralling and epic story of everyday heros in extraordinary circumstances well told by an extremely talented narrator.

great story and narration

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Riveting from beginning to postscript. A fantastic story brilliantly written with excellent narration. Highly recommended

Perfect

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Excellent Narration Subject will appeal to older generations as these were our Grandparents,Gone but not forgotten.

Good Subject WW2 Aircrews includes Antipodes whoa!

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Throughly enjoyed listening to this story - history, insights and a different perspective of WWII. The spitfire was not the only high performance aeroplane in the war and it turns out had it's limitations. A wooden aeroplane that could be built in cabinet makers workshops, was fast, had an amazing range and could carry the same payload as a B52 bomber had to be a winner. Great read.

Great Book

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An amazing account of courage bravery and skill, definitely worth a listen and reflection well written

Brilliant

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The details and focus on war the gestapo lends a personal way of defeating absolute evil.

Great listen

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