The Last Navigator

by Paul Goodwin

Overview

'A wonderful book that tells a remarkable and heroic story.'
AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR ANGUS HOUSTON AK, AFC (RET'D)

The choking, chest-tightening feeling of being trapped in a burning Lancaster, enduring the uncertainty, you count down the requisite 60 seconds for the tanks to blow. Your skip has thrown off the fighters with yet another brilliant corkscrew manoeuvre but will you get your badly wounded bomber home?

Gordon Goodwin was a decorated airman and an inspired leader. During World War II he served in probably the most dangerous occupation of all, flying with the Pathfinders as they led bombing raids into Germany. He undertook 32 Pathfinder missions, including nine over Berlin, and 65 missions over enemy territory with Bomber Command. But to survive his childhood was perhaps a greater achievement. Raised in harsh and loveless circumstances outside Brisbane during the Depression, his accomplishments were remarkable.

This is the powerful first-hand account of Gordon's dangerous and brave war experiences as recalled for his son Paul. 'My father told me that to survive you had to surrender all hope.' That extraordinary formula followed by the men of Bomber Command allowed Gordon to not only come through the war, but to find a successful career with Qantas, finishing as its chief, and possibly last, navigator. The Last Navigator is an illuminating, compelling and ultimately uplifting insight into a time that should not be forgotten.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781760874629
Publisher:	Allen & Unwin
Publication date:	07/02/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Paul Goodwin is retired and living in Sydney, having had a long and very successful career in marketing and executive positions. Gordon Goodwin died aged 94 in 2012. The memoir he wrote in later life forms the basis of this book.

Table of Contents

Foreword Wing Commander Philip Patrick MBE, DFC xi

Map: RAF Bomber Command Operations of Squadron Leader Gordon Goodwin xvii

Author's Note xix

1 The Montville Years 1

2 Escape to Bundaberg 11

3 Passing Muster 19

4 Training in Canada 32

5 Montreal and Meeting Bennett 46

6 Crossing the Atlantic 54

7 Into Wellington Warfare 64

8 Finding Joy 75

9 Cologne, Harris and 1000 Bombers 87

10 Sea Rescue, Last of Tour 99

11 The Dirty Duck, Royalty and Radar 108

12 Escape, Boffins and the Mosquito Bomber 122

13 The Regent Palace, Hamburg and Marriage 133

14 Back into Battle 143

15 The Mighty Lane 153

16 Bombing Berlin 167

17 A Frenzy of Fighters 183

18 A Little Levity, Leipzig and Wind Speed 196

19 Losing the Two Jimmies 208

20 A Happy Gathering 219

21 The Buzz-Bombs Strike 230

22 Duisburg and the Denouement 244

23 Qantas and a New Life 260

24 Lancaster Lost and Flying Boats 267

25 Connies, Super Connies and Jets 281

26 The Last Navigator 293

Afterword 299

Acknowledgements 305

Endnotes 307

Bibliography 325