From Hitler's U-Boats to Kruschev's Spyflights

This book tells the tale of the illustrious Royal Air Force career of Tom Clark, a World War Two gunner and post-war signaller in action during some of the most pivotal events of the twentieth century. Lovingly penned by his son, it provides an authentic insight into this dynamic period of world history. From work as an air gunner, involved in the daunting task of taking on the might of Hitler’s U-boat fleet, to post-war involvement in an Intelligence capacity during the dramatic events surrounding Khrushchev and the atomic threat of the late 1950s, Clark’s career was dramatic and varied to say the least. Having joined the RAF as an aircraft man just before the Second World War, Clark was destined to take part in a whole range of wartime operational engagements. His career featured involvement in the famous 1941 hunt for the elusive Bismarck, the dangers of life as part of an Air Sea Rescue squadron in conflicted waters, and the experience of training as a gunnery leader (later an instructor), training air gunners for the famed Desert Air Force. His career also took in a fraught period behind enemy lines, when his crew of four were shot down in enemy territory in Northern Italy. Seven weeks in a safe house in Florence are relayed in engaging and dramatic style, as are a raft of other personal and professional achievements, set within the context of the wider conflict. Here is a career that deserves to be recorded and celebrated, and there is perhaps no-one better placed than the subject’s son to act as custodian to his thrilling story.

This book is about the Royal Air Force Career of Tom Clark, who joined the RAF as an Aircraft man just before WW2 in June 1939. After "Dunkirk" he trained as an Air Gunner and during that October Sergeant Clark joined a Flying Boat Squadron Sullom Voe, Shetland; on an Anti-Boat and Convoy Protection role. He was involved during May 1941 in the hunt for "Bismarck" and although injured was lucky to survive a fatal crash that August when five of his twelve man crew perished.

Flight Sergeant Clark went on to join an Air Sea Rescue Squadron stationed in West Norfolk during 1942, and in 1943, after training as a Gunnery Leader, he became a Gunnery Instructor stationed at Gianaclis, Egypt, training Air Gunners for the Desert Air Force; during this time he was promoted to Flying Officer.

Post War, Flight Lieutenant Clark trained as a Signals Leader and flew within various transport Command roles, including flying Dakota long-haul to India to collect POW's, the Berlin Airlift, two stints on "The King's Flight" and one with Far East Transport Wing VIP Flight; he also gained a Permanent Commission.

He was involved during 1956 in an Intelligence role during the 1956 Soviet Leaders Bulganin and Khrushchev visit to RAF Marham, shortly after the Commander "Buster" Crabb affair, to stop Tupolev the Russian Aircraft Designer stealing technical information on Britain's "V" Bomber Squadron capabilities for cloning purposes, as at that time the Russians did not have an aircraft capable of carrying an atomic bomb.

From 1958 until 1963 he was at the Central School of Electronics at RAF Watton in Norfolk and flew as a "Front End Signaller" on the Comet and Lincoln both of which were involved in a secret GCHQ ECM and RCM role, during the time of the United States CIA U-2 Spyflight programme.

In short, this is a man whose illustrious and varied career deserves to be recorded, and indeed celebrated. There is perhaps no-one better placed than his son to act as custodian to his story, relayed here in engaging style, and sure to appeal to a wide cross-section of enthusiasts.