Item #114547 If Winter Comes. Earle M. NELSON.
If Winter Comes
If Winter Comes

If Winter Comes

Lovely Banks, The Author, 1989.

Octavo, [vi], 78 pages.

Papered boards; a fine copy with the fine dustwrapper.

The privately-published memoir of a RAAF bomber pilot shot down over Duisburg in April 1943, signed by him on the title page. Loosely inserted is a duplicate typescript of a letter to the author from aviation historian David Vincent, and a revealing autograph letter signed in reply (quarto, 2 pages). In response to Vincent's query regarding the lack of some specific details in the text (the names of the author's crewmembers and the serial number of the Lancaster he was flying), Nelson writes: '... there was a very specific reason that names were not mentioned; the first reason being the likelyhood [sic] of incurring the wrath of some individual who considered his name should have been mentioned. Secondly, in defference [sic] to the fellow concerned, as well as his family, I did not mention the name of my Navigator, as he committed suicide shortly after the War for reasons known only to himself. Thirdly, I am sure the person who had lost his nerve to bale [sic] out and was nearly the cause of my death would rather he were not identified ... Regarding the information you require about my Lancaster on the night of the 9th/10th of April 44 Target Duisberg. Lancaster Mark III, Letter identification "T" for Tommy, Serial No ED608, 101 Squadron Letters S.R.'.

Item #114547

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