Relentless Skies - The Life of Don Bennett

The Damcasters - The Aviation History Podcast

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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