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Missing Presumed Dead is a compelling and authentic personal narrative by Stanley A. Hawken, OBE. The memoir follows his journey from a modest upbringing in rural Victoria to his service as a wireless operator and air gunner in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. After his Lancaster bomber was shot down over France in July 1944, Hawken’s life took a dramatic turn. Having survived the crash, he successfully evaded capture for months, assisted by a courageous French family before joining partisan forces to engage in vital sabotage operations.
Beyond the harrowing experiences of evasion and survival, the book provides a rare, detailed insight into the daily lives and responsibilities of bomber crews. Written in a matter-of-fact style that resonates with the raw honesty of Australian literature, this account also chronicles Hawken’s determination to enlist against the odds and his eventual post-war success as a Mayor. It is a stirring tribute to resilience, bravery, and the enduring human spirit during one of history’s most challenging chapters. This is essential reading for anyone interested in aviation history and personal tales of wartime heroism.
Used (good, see images) Softcover ISBN 0855721855978
