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  • Mosquito

  • The RAF's Legendary Wooden Wonder and Its Most Extraordinary Mission
  • By: Rowland White
  • Narrated by: Roy McMillan
  • Length: 17 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (143 ratings)

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Mosquito cover art

Mosquito

By: Rowland White
Narrated by: Roy McMillan
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Built of lightweight wood, powered by two growling Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, impossibly aerodynamic, headspinningly fast and armed to the teeth, the de Havilland Mosquito was the war-winning wonder that should never have existed: the aircraft the RAF didn't think it wanted then couldn't do without.

Flying on operations barely eighteen months after a single prototype was ordered off the drawing board, it was the answer to its pilots' prayers: a stunningly versatile warplane capable of leaving the Luftwaffe in its wake to attack when and where the enemy was least expecting it.

Excelling as a spyplane, night-fighter and pathfinder for Bomber Command's heavies the Mossie's reputation was cemented by a series of daredevil bombing raids across occupied Europe, including on Berlin itself, where only surprise, speed and precision could ensure success.

So when Churchill's top secret Special Operations Executive needed to destroy the Gestapo HQ in the centre of downtown Copenhagen to prevent a devastating Nazi last stand that might prolong the war for many months, there was only one machine for the job - the Mosquito.

This is the story of that legendary aircraft told through that one impossible mission.

Like Rowland White's previous books, Mosquito is an unputdownable mix of utterly compelling storytelling, incredible human stories and fascinating technological detail, which sheds never-before-told light on a pivotal mission that helped bring the war to its bloody and brutal close.

©2023 Rowland White (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

'Exciting and breathtakingly pacy.' (Andy McNab)

'A masterwork of narrative history.' (Clive Cussler)

What listeners say about Mosquito

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A fascinating and moving story.

I enjoyed the depth and breadth of this fascinating story. The challenges of flying low-level pinpoint air attacks were well described, as wear the effects of the raid on various protagonists. A moving and thought-provoking book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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50ft no taller than a block of flats in London.

the sizes of these lads undergarge must be so big they would need a wheelbarrow to go anywhere. I didn't realise just how much Denmark had gone through before. the narrator was on the mark no over the top accents or dull no excitement reading.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Rowland hits the mark again

Once again Rowland White hits the mark with a story that whilst moving at pace involves so much detail that you feel like you’re living it. 100% recommend! Also the narration is spot on great work!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

About more than just the machine

I enjoyed the stories of the multiple participants in this audio book. The narrator was excellent. I learned so much more than I imagined. Told with a beautifully balanced perspective.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Excellent narration

Narration was really good. It brought life to the book and enhanced the main character in remarkable way.

The stories were generally interesting, but not exceptional.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

I have a big collection of audio books and this one will rain supreme amongst them. Been fan of the Mosquito since first watching 633 Squadron I have learnt so much more from this book
Brilliant

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    5 out of 5 stars
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It deserves a wider readership.

This is not a story about an old war plane . It studies human courage in all levels of humanity and it's findings defy belief.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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The facts on the Mosquito

I enjoyed the story telling. It was more the story of the Danish fight against German Gestapo

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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a great historical novel

well paced historical novel told about one of the best aircraft in WW2
the mosquito fastest prop driven aircraft of its time
the first true multi role combat aircraft

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Remarkable Bravery

This book is not just the story of the DH Mosquito as an instrument of war. The telling of the bravery of the crews to support the danish people in their struggle against the invader is remarkable. Having recently spent time working in the Copenhagen area, I had no idea of the struggle the people put it and the assistance in the hour of need by the RAF.

A remarkable story of men, machine and the people of Denmark through the occupation.

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