Posted in December 2020: ‘Great read. A sad story but perfectly written.’
This is a great story and made me understand more about Lamsdorf POW camp and the Long March. My father in law was in that camp and only survived the long march because he was picked up by American soldiers and taken to hospital. Most of the prisoners never spoke about their ordeal and this book helps us understand a little more of how they survived. Thank you so much for writing this lovely story.
I have to say that researching and writing particularly the account of Lamsdorf and the Long March was both harrowing and humbling. Much is beyond belief.
This review, also on Amazon is candid about the book but so clearly highlights its importance.
I'd like to explain why I've given this little book (129 pages) such a high score. It's not written by a famous author, but put together with the aid of a specialist publishing company that helps people to create their biographical and family history work. It's not brilliantly copy-edited, but that doesn't matter.
Whatever interest in or knowledge of RAF Bomber Command in WW2 you may or may not have, you'll learn a lot from this book. I already knew the story of Lady MacRobert and the plane, the first of several to to bear the name 'MacRobert's reply.' One of the things this book does very well indeed is to fill in many more details of that story. Also, it's Philip Jeffs's story of his father, Don Jeffs, and how Don was the sole survivor of the crash that destroyed 'MacRobert's Reply' in 1942.
These personal stories of the WW2 are of vital significance in our understanding of the courage, dedication and all too often the suffering and sacrifice of ordinary people. Don't miss this one
Other reviews, again on Amazon:
A wonderful book & fantastic story combining the tragedy & loss of a courageous, brave young aircrew aboard a special aircraft with its own, unique tale - and the personal story of Donald Jeffs, the sole survivor of the fateful crash in May 1942.
The book gives a fascinating account of how the 'MacRoberts Reply' name came to fruition with XV Sqn - which even today is still recognised on the squadrons modern fighter jets - and the unimaginable scale of family loss for one individual and her story of generosity to aid the war effort on Hitler, and avenge her tragic losses.
An excellent, enjoyable and insightful read and highly recommended.
The story of the MacRobert family is one which has fascinated me for a long time. Lady MacRobert's response, or shall we say 'reply', to the loss of her three sons was the beginning of a long legacy and tradition which remains with XV Squadron to this very day.
This book recounts the sad loss endured by Lady MacRobert and the 'reply', moving on to descriptive accounts of the crews and missions undertaken by the Short Stirling bomber. There is also the sadness as the crash which took the lives of eight crew members is recounted, along with the courage of Donald Jeffs as he survived not only the crash, but imprisonment thereafter. It is a story of courage, bravery and endurance and is a most fitting tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for the freedom that we enjoy today.
A wonderful book & fantastic story combining the tragedy & loss of a courageous, brave young aircrew aboard a special aircraft with its own, unique tale - and the personal story of Donald Jeffs, the sole survivor of the fateful crash in May 1942.
The book gives a fascinating account of how the 'MacRoberts Reply' name came to fruition with XV Sqn - which even today is still recognised on the squadrons modern fighter jets - and the unimaginable scale of family loss for one individual and her story of generosity to aid the war effort on Hitler, and avenge her tragic losses.
An excellent, enjoyable and insightful read and highly recommended.
A fantastic story of one of the most iconic Bomber Command aircraft of WW2 and in particular the personal story of one Sergeant Donald Jeffs. I've had the pleasure of meeting Donald a couple of times at events, but to read his story and that of his fellow crew men is truly humbling.
If the RAF, Bomber Command and the Stirling are your 'thing' then this is a must buy, or maybe you just want a story of courage and 'survival against the odds' then it fits the bill.
Fantastic read... a must have
The book is available on Amazon. Just follow this link
This is a great story and made me understand more about Lamsdorf POW camp and the Long March. My father in law was in that camp and only survived the long march because he was picked up by American soldiers and taken to hospital. Most of the prisoners never spoke about their ordeal and this book helps us understand a little more of how they survived. Thank you so much for writing this lovely story.
I have to say that researching and writing particularly the account of Lamsdorf and the Long March was both harrowing and humbling. Much is beyond belief.
This review, also on Amazon is candid about the book but so clearly highlights its importance.
I'd like to explain why I've given this little book (129 pages) such a high score. It's not written by a famous author, but put together with the aid of a specialist publishing company that helps people to create their biographical and family history work. It's not brilliantly copy-edited, but that doesn't matter.
Whatever interest in or knowledge of RAF Bomber Command in WW2 you may or may not have, you'll learn a lot from this book. I already knew the story of Lady MacRobert and the plane, the first of several to to bear the name 'MacRobert's reply.' One of the things this book does very well indeed is to fill in many more details of that story. Also, it's Philip Jeffs's story of his father, Don Jeffs, and how Don was the sole survivor of the crash that destroyed 'MacRobert's Reply' in 1942.
These personal stories of the WW2 are of vital significance in our understanding of the courage, dedication and all too often the suffering and sacrifice of ordinary people. Don't miss this one
Other reviews, again on Amazon:
A wonderful book & fantastic story combining the tragedy & loss of a courageous, brave young aircrew aboard a special aircraft with its own, unique tale - and the personal story of Donald Jeffs, the sole survivor of the fateful crash in May 1942.
The book gives a fascinating account of how the 'MacRoberts Reply' name came to fruition with XV Sqn - which even today is still recognised on the squadrons modern fighter jets - and the unimaginable scale of family loss for one individual and her story of generosity to aid the war effort on Hitler, and avenge her tragic losses.
An excellent, enjoyable and insightful read and highly recommended.
The story of the MacRobert family is one which has fascinated me for a long time. Lady MacRobert's response, or shall we say 'reply', to the loss of her three sons was the beginning of a long legacy and tradition which remains with XV Squadron to this very day.
This book recounts the sad loss endured by Lady MacRobert and the 'reply', moving on to descriptive accounts of the crews and missions undertaken by the Short Stirling bomber. There is also the sadness as the crash which took the lives of eight crew members is recounted, along with the courage of Donald Jeffs as he survived not only the crash, but imprisonment thereafter. It is a story of courage, bravery and endurance and is a most fitting tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for the freedom that we enjoy today.
A wonderful book & fantastic story combining the tragedy & loss of a courageous, brave young aircrew aboard a special aircraft with its own, unique tale - and the personal story of Donald Jeffs, the sole survivor of the fateful crash in May 1942.
The book gives a fascinating account of how the 'MacRoberts Reply' name came to fruition with XV Sqn - which even today is still recognised on the squadrons modern fighter jets - and the unimaginable scale of family loss for one individual and her story of generosity to aid the war effort on Hitler, and avenge her tragic losses.
An excellent, enjoyable and insightful read and highly recommended.
A fantastic story of one of the most iconic Bomber Command aircraft of WW2 and in particular the personal story of one Sergeant Donald Jeffs. I've had the pleasure of meeting Donald a couple of times at events, but to read his story and that of his fellow crew men is truly humbling.
If the RAF, Bomber Command and the Stirling are your 'thing' then this is a must buy, or maybe you just want a story of courage and 'survival against the odds' then it fits the bill.
Fantastic read... a must have
The book is available on Amazon. Just follow this link
