MORE about life on RAF Stations at Honeybourne and Long Marston are revealed in a book written by an Evesham man with a passion for aircraft and aviation history.

The text, drawings and tables have been updated and improved in the second edition of Brian Kedward's book "Angry Skies Across the Vale."

The book covers the day-to-day life of the airmen and airwomen (WAAFs) who trained at RAF stations Honeybourne and Long Marston which formed 24 OTU (Operational Training Unit) during World War II.

"Taken from authentic records of both stations, the new book includes more details since the first edition was published," Mr Kedward said.

"This larger second edition includes many new photographs which have been sent to me by ex-personnel who were trained there during the darkest days the war."

Mr Kedward has built up a fascinating insight into the lives of the personnel of both Honeybourne and Long Marston stations which comes across in the book.

There were some particularly bad days. During the 1000 bomber raid on Cologne, Dusseldorf and Hamburg, 40 aircraft flew from Honeybourne to take part. Several failed to return.

In the latter part of the war, 24 OTU was almost 100 per cent Canadian-staffed. Stories of bravery and courage are covered, including one RCAF 24 OTUtrained crew which later included Warrant Officer Andrew Mynarski, flying in a Lancaster bomber over Germany when the plane was hit by enemy fire.

For his act of bravery on attempting to save a fellow crew member from a blazing aircraft which resulted in him losing his own life, Mynarski was awarded the Victoria Cross and promoted posthumously to Pilot Officer. The remainder of the crew survived the crash.

Anyone who experienced life at either of the stations will be reminded of the harsh conditions that existed there at the time through Mr Kedward's book.

"Many heroes are mentioned who would have regarded their heroism to have been part of normal life under such conditions," he said.

The book also tells of how civilians living in the area were affected as they tried to go about their normal lives in very difficult circumstances.

The main message from the book is how men and women from ordinary walks of life, and from many different countries, reacted as a body to the threat of an aggressor.

Published by B.H.Kedward, of Shearwater, 11 Badsey Lane, Evesham, WR11 3EY, at £28, plus post and packing, the book contains almost 400 pages and 200 photographs and appendices..