{"title":"Books by Steve Crump","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781036134334","title":"Mosquito Pathfinder","description":"Bomber Command faced mounting challenges as poor bombing results and heavy losses strained aircrews to their limits. The formation of the Pathfinders Force marked a turning point, introducing improved methods for finding and marking targets. The Mosquito, adopted by the Pathfinders, played a critical role in this evolution.Steve Crump’s interest in 139 Squadron’s Mosquito DZ477 began in the 1990s when he discovered it had crashed near his home in Hereford during a 1944 training exercise. His investigation unearthed the aircraft’s remarkable history: over 60 operational missions, involvement in low-level target marking, and connections to 617 Squadron, the iconic \"Dambusters.\"Drawing from local memories, official records, and firsthand accounts, Crump paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the men of 139 and later 627 Squadrons. These elite crews bore immense responsibility, leading missions over heavily defended skies to mark targets in Nazi territory. Their precision became even more critical during operations in France, where minimizing civilian casualties added complexity.DZ477’s story encapsulates the broader narrative of Bomber Command's evolving strategies and the heroism of its crews. Crump’s account, enriched by unpublished photographs and combat records, honors the extraordinary efforts of those who flew and fought under extreme pressure to ensure mission success.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56419707584885,"sku":"9781036134334","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781036134334_460bf1e1-2cb8-4f34-b55a-665d5057c2a4.jpg?v=1786017143"},{"product_id":"koevoet-volume-1","title":"Koevoet Volume 1","description":null,"brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57492441334133,"sku":"9781915070562","price":19.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781915070562.jpg?v=1786529286"},{"product_id":"koevoet-volume-2","title":"Koevoet","description":"\u003cp\u003eCovers Koevoet's counter-insurgency expansion, operations in South-West Africa, peace talks impact, the Nine Days War, and legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis second volume documents the continued deployment of Koevoet during the South-West African conflict and its further expansion and development as a counter-insurgency force.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt details the tempo of day-to-day Koevoet operations in the operational area across Owamboland, the Kavango and Kaokoland, alongside the continued pursuit of SWAPO insurgents and PLAN fighters into Angola. In addition, this volume continues to trace the development of Koevoet doctrine, tactics and its ongoing co-operation with other arms, including the South African Defence Force, the South West African Territorial Force and the South African Air Force. All of which is set against the context of an emboldened SWAPO and PLAN who were securing ever greater leverage with, and amongst, the civilian population.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe challenge of sustaining counter-insurgency operations is examined, as is the continuing importance of intelligence gathering and analysis. Intelligence that was the key to shaping South Africa’s approach to the 1988 US brokered peace talks with Cuba and Angola which paved the way for Namibian independence in November 1989.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKoevoet Volume II details the establishment of the two UN monitoring missions – the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM) and the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) – and the plans for free, independent, elections and the return of PLAN and SADF units to their bases.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHowever, this was compromised when SWAPO reneged on the ceasefire agreement and 1,600 PLAN fighters sought to move into Namibia to subvert the elections and to ensure SWAPO seized power. Koevoet was tasked to respond, along with other security assets in what was to become known as, ‘Operation Merlyn’ or the Nine Days War.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis action is examined in detail, as is the rationale for Koevoet’s disbandment; a demobilization process that would see the SAP abandon its trackers to a dangerous and uncertain fate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKoevoet Volume 2 also examines the legacy of Koevoet, controversies and accusations of which there were many. A cutting edge COIN capability or Pretoria’s Waffen SS?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColor profiles detail the continued development of Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs) used by Koevoet, along with full color artworks that document the evolving uniforms and insignia of Koevoet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57536499319157,"sku":"9781804513613","price":19.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781804513613.jpg?v=1788186416"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-steve-crump.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}