Whispering Death – A History of the RAAF's Beaufighter Squadrons | Neville Parnell | First Edition 1980 [USED – HCDJ – Good]

Neville Parnell's history of the RAAF's Bristol Beaufighter squadrons in the Second World War — No. 30, 31 and 92 Squadrons, 77 Wing, 93 Training Squadron and 5 OTU.

The Beaufighter was a heavy fighter derived from the Beaufort torpedo bomber, flying with the RAAF from 1942 in the anti-shipping and ground attack role across the South West Pacific. It played a central part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March 1943, where Beaufighters flew at mast height providing suppressive fire ahead of waves of American bombers attacking a Japanese troop convoy.

The book's title comes from the aircraft's nickname — "Whispering Death" — attributed to the quiet running of its sleeve-valve Hercules engines at low level, which allegedly let it approach targets undetected until it was too late. Whether Japanese troops genuinely coined the name, or whether it originated as RAF and RAAF crew slang later picked up by a war correspondent, remains disputed among aviation historians — but the reduced engine noise itself was real, and the nickname has stuck regardless.

At 128 pages with black and white photographs and maps, and including sections on aircrew and aircraft serial histories, this is a detailed unit history for a type that has never received the popular recognition of the Spitfire or Mosquito despite its significant combat record.

CONDITION

Used, good condition. Contact the bookshop on 03 6381 1545 for additional photos if required before purchasing.

BOOK DETAILS

• Hardcover with dust jacket.
• 128 pages.
• Black and white illustrations, maps.
• First edition, published 1980 by Reed.

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