No Prouder Place: Canadians and the Bomber Command Experience 1939-1945

Author: David L. Bashow
Vanwell Publishing, St Catharines, ON, Canada
List: C$60.00
544 pages
ISBN: 1-55125-098-5

Book Review by Major Robert Day

For a variety of reasons, most Canadian military historiography in the immediate postwar period produced an incomplete, historical record in the coverage of Canadian contributions in World War Two.  The major emphasis of the historical record keeping appeared to be focused on a very small area of wartime events - primarily, the role of the government in the conduct of the war. While there was “official” and “semi official” survey histories of the three services produced, there was only a limited work carried out in this area.  However to be fair there were a number of personal memoirs written, usually written by senior staff, or an occasional history of a particular engagement or event.  

Many units, squadrons and ships raised their own funds after the war and commissioned the writing of their own unit wartime histories to commemorate their unit’s achievements and the sacrifices of their comrades.  These unit histories ranged in quality from excellent historical records that were well-researched, well-written and verified to lesser works that were often a loose collection of anecdotes, hazy recollections and what has come to be referred to as “pump handle history.”  Notwithstanding, all of these histories have, in their own way enriched our knowledge and understanding of the contributions of those Canadians from earlier generations that were made on our behalf.

Sadly, what has been missing has been the historical research and analysis of the contributions that were made by the formations of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force.  Fortunately, there is now a solid piece of Canadian historical scholarship to remedy this shortfall – David Bashow’s No Prouder Place.

In No Prouder Place, the author, David Bashow, has painstakingly sought to record the experiences of the members of the RCAF who fought in Bomber Command as part of RAF squadrons, wings and groups as well of those who fought in the Canadian squadrons, wings and in 6 Bomber Group – the all-Canadian Group within Bomber Command.  The result of his labours is a well crafted history that is rich in the detail of both the lives of the RCAF squadrons of 6 Group and the RCAF personnel that comprised 25% of the RAF squadrons and establishment. 

Bashow recounts the problems that the Canadian aircrew had with the permanent RAF staff and their peacetime rules which must have seemed to any logical person woefully out of place in wartime.  He writes as well of how the Canadian aircrew felt about the people of the United Kingdom and their ready acceptance of the Canadians into their homes and lives.  The stories from the aircrew regarding the various “ops” reveal their determination to “get on with it” despite their isolation, personal fear, physical comfort or circumstances.  Bashow also uses these recollections to add to our understanding of life for all RCAF servicemen serving in the United Kingdom during the war.  From the monotony of Brussel Sprouts, mutton and dehydrated potatoes to the unheated Quonset huts that often served as temporary quarters to the well developed RAF and RCAF stations, to their favourite cities and pubs RCAF personnel experienced a wide spectrum of both good and bad during their service in the UK.  Bashow skillfully weaves a rich tapestry of life that allows the reader to understand the context of a conflict where RCAF aircrew could be in dire peril one night and on leave in London the next.

However, in my estimation, his greatest contribution with this book is to recount in some detail the establishment of 6 Bomber Group.  He details the problems associated with the drive to develop an all Canadian group from the resistance by some RAF staff to the concept to the lack of modern aircraft and equipment that would be needed to conduct operations.  He analyzes the styles and leadership of the two AOC’s of 6 Group, Air Vice-Marshal McEwen and Air Vice-Marshal Brookes, and their contributions towards establishment of the Group and its steady development into an efficient and effective fighting formation that ends the war with a most enviable record despite a somewhat shaky start.  It is a story that was badly in need of telling.  David Bashow has answered that call.

This is a book that needs to be on every library shelf in every city and every secondary school in Canada.  It is also a must for everyone who thinks of themselves as an aficionado of Canadian military history or Canadian history.  It is a powerful story that is told by one of Canada’s best narrative historians.  His style is crisp clear and eminently readable.  Don’t be surprised if you find yourself awake into the middle of the night unable to put it down or, having finished it, coming back several weeks later to read it all over again.  Congratulations David on a masterful tour de force.  Well Done!

— —