This second volume of the history of 489 Squadron has now been printed, and is due for distribution to former Squadron members, and their families in Novmeber / December 2016. Copies will be available to the general public via copies being purchased by aviation and military museums in NZ Australia, UK, Norway and Canada. Museums in some other European countries have been approached.
It contains information about the early training of Squadron personnel (In NZ, UK, Canada and other places), Formation of No 489 Squadron, The acquisition of their Beaufort, Blenheims and Hampden aircraft, Operations (including sinking of enemy vessels) by Hampden crews, Mounting casualties (Coastal Command crews had only a 17% survival rate in their first tour, which was reduced to 3% for their second tour), Plans to deploy 489 Squadron to Russia, and the transition to Beaufighters. Where possible, it uses the words of people who were "there", rather than official documents.
IT IS IMPERATIVE that former members of 489 Squadron and their families place their orders immediately with either the NZ or UK contact people (details in the newsletter) as only a small number of these books has been printed. No reprint is anticipated, late comers may well miss out on securing a copy of their family.