Flak cover art

Flak

 Preview
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free
Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm GMT.
Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just £0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 bestseller or new release per month—yours to keep.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Flak

By: Michael Veitch
Narrated by: Michael Veitch
Get this deal Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly. Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm GMT.

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Only £0.99 a month for the first 3 months. Pay £0.99 for the first 3 months, and £8.99/month thereafter. Renews automatically. Terms apply. Start my membership

About this listen

 Michael Veitch's life-long obsession with the aircraft of the Second World War led him to conclude that every single person who flew, or flew in them has at least one extraordinary story to tell. With most of these veterans in their eighties, he knew that it was a matter of urgency to find them now, before their personal stories disappear forever. From bomber pilots to fighter aces, from rear gunners to bomb aimers, from stories of death and fear to tales of humour and comradeship, Michael has helped unearth the extraordinary stories of ordinary men living and fighting in extraordinary times.©2006 Michael Veitch. (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing World Witty Veteran

Editor reviews

Michael Veitch delivers an engaging and passionate performance of his nonfiction book FLAK. Since childhood, he had an obsession with Second World War aircraft. He believed that the men who flew these machines had incredible stories to share, but many of these narratives had not yet been recorded. Over a year, he set off to interview former bomber pilots, fighter aces, rear gunners, and bomb aimers living in Australia. These veterans were in their 80s, but their stories remained as vivid and unforgettable as the day they happened.

Critic reviews

"A collection of vivid, unforgettable stories from RAAF veterans about their experiences of combat in World War II ... Michael has helped unearth the extraordinary stories of ordinary men living and fighting in extraordinary times." (The Herald Sun)
"Inspired by his fascination with WWII aircraft, Australian comedian Michael Veitch tracked down RAAF pilots, collecting their accounts of an extraordinary time. The result is surprisingly personal – instead of tales of adventure, the emphasis is on how pilots coped with fear, malfunctioning equipment, the loss of friends, and the constant presence of death. Veitch, an Aussie celebrity, describes his experiences tracking down the stories but usually lets the pilots' accounts take over. He reads their recollections with a voice that's respectful and excited at the same time. While aimed at Australian audiences, the book's focus on pilots provides a historical view on the war that will interest many other listeners as well." (AudioFile Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant
This is so humbling to listen to these Aussies talk about their experiences during the war. As they talk about their experiences in a so matter of fact manner.That it beggers belief that they are actually talking about frontline combat which more than likely made them fill their pants!!!! The narrator talks you through the approaching stories in the same matter of fact tone as the actual combatants do themselves. Yet all the time they are telling their stories. These men talk down their bravery as nothing more than they were just doing their job. As it was a job that needed doing!! All through this audio book there were moments of hilarity....as long as you have the same sence of humour as the Aussies....as well as sadness at the losses they experienced. Though moreso their indomitable spirit and loyalty speaks volumes with their own spoken words. This is definatly well worth listening to folks. Find out for yourselves how brave these men were and how they just played their war time experiences down to what can only be described as, in their own words, "nothing special" An absoulute brilliant listen, very humbling and educational to boot.

FLAK

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
First hand accounts of bravery from amazing people doing amazing acts. Well worth listening to.

A great audio book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Brilliant audiobook... rivetting, entertaining and humbling.....draws you into the story til the end...and brings a year to the eye at times!!.

Every bit as good as the reviews say it is!.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Having already listened to Fly by the same author this was a must buy. Thanks to everyone who gave their insights to create this fascinating book

fabulous book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My first review for Audible brought about by the need to express my admiration for 'Flak' and the reader/author, Michael Veitch. Michael if you are reading this 'Good on you, mate!' you certainly 'got it' in my opinion, The book and your narration scored at every level, the factual account, historical notes, humor, drama and respect came through in each chapter. More than any film or other book I have read this audio book had me flying over the Bass Straits on the way to work and then the French coast on the way home. As soon as I 'landed' it was straight onto Wikipedia researching the facts and figures I'd been listening to, I'm still enjoying the book long after it ended!
Should you spend a credit on this? Did you ever make an Airfix kit? Did you ever hear a Merlin engine? Ever see a Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane flypast? Need I say more?
Finally to the 'boys' involved. Michael's book and rendition underlines the respect, thanks and awe in which he (and I) regard these not-forgotten men (and women) caught up in an extraordinary time.
Off to download the next book 'Fly' now - happy commuting!

Just the ticket!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews