Air Vice Marshall Don Bennett CB, CBE, DSO was a singular man. His story of leading the Path Finder Force in the Second World War has gone down in legend. But what led him to that command? Ian Campbell, curator of the Bennett/Vial Archive at the Queensland Air Museum, has published the first volume of his biography of Bennett, Relentless Skies, which is superb. Ian joins us to discuss Bennett's life and career as we look at the making of the man who would become one of the RAF's foremost commanders.
Relentless Skies: Volume 1 - The Most Efficient Airman (1910-1942) by Ian Campbell is out now! Buy your copy from The Damcasters bookshop and support the pod (UK only): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11015/9781923020641
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00:00 Introduction
01:43 The Author's Perspective
05:33 Exploring Don's Early Life
09:13 The Transition to Aviation
12:02 The Challenge of Writing
17:02 Understanding Don's Character
19:28 The Relationship with Risk
22:33 Capturing Don's Early Years
26:08 The Path to Aviation Career
36:24 The Arrival of Arthur Harris
41:01 Achievements and Licenses
43:17 Conclusion
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