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Storm at Sunset Kindle Edition

by Ian Hall (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 111 ratings
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The end is only the beginning…

Aircraftman Arthur Brownlow and his wife Joy are among the cheering thousands in London celebrating VE Day in May 1945.

But the young couple have heard the chastening words of Winston Churchill:

“We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead. Japan, with all her treachery and greed, remains unsubdued. We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our task, both at home and abroad.”

Arthur knows that he is not, like many of his fellow conscripted airmen, about to be demobbed. He is to be sent to the Far East as a member of 31 Squadron RAF, which is equipped with a fleet of battered Dakotas ferrying supplies into remote jungle bases and bringing out a wretched human cargo from Japanese internment camps.

Even after the Japanese surrender, it’s grim work for Brownlow and fellow crew members.

They keep a stiff upper lip, but harmony is threatened with the arrival of a subversive Glaswegian docker Jock Patterson and his mutinous message.

However, life is not without its lighter moments – and wireless operator Freddie falls in love with Nelli who, following her release from internment, is working with the RAF. Her Dutch origins hint at the country’s history under colonial rule.

Resentment at centuries of colonisation, first by the West then by the Japanese, is coming to the surface, and the RAF men are soon to feel the backlash in the most horrific way possible.

Freddie is dropped off by ‘U for Uncle’ at a base near where Nelli’s father has been detained, but the Dak fails to return to pick him up.

What shocking news is about to emerge from Bekasi, where 'Uncle' forced landed? Can Wing Commander Brian Macnamara deal with the poisonous Patterson and get the squadron’s mission completed?

How do men react when they discover a loved one at home has betrayed them? Will the conscripted men of 31 Squadron ever be able to cope in Civvy Street again?

Ian Hall’s impressive Storm at Sunset portrays the RAF’s little-appreciated work in the aftermath of the Second World War – its all-too human face and the political and military backlash that affected even their essentially humanitarian mission.

About the author:



Ian Hall spent thirty-two years as an RAF pilot, including a tour commanding the modern 31 Squadron equipped with Tornado jets, before retiring as a group captain. He then flew turbo-props for regional airlines for a further twelve years. Married with three grown-up children, he lives in Norfolk.
Other books by the author are Jaguar Boys, Tornado Boys, Fast Jets – and Other Beasts and a celebration of the centenary of 31 Squadron RAF, A Goldstar Century.
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  1. Print length
    226 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    June 29, 2017
  5. File size
    2012 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B073JFBQLG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lume Books (June 29, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 29, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2012 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 111 ratings

About the author

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Ian Hall

Ian Hall

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Ian Hall spent thirty-two years as an RAF pilot, retiring as a group captain. He then flew turbo-props for regional airlines for a further twelve years. Married with three grown-up children, he lives in Norfolk.

His flying experience with the RAF included fighter-bomber tours on Hunters, Phantoms, Jaguars and Tornados. He had the pleasure of commanding a Tornado squadron, during which time he saw operational service over southern Iraq. An additional delight was a three-year duty flying the F-5 'Freedom Fighter' with the Royal Norwegian Air Force. He transferred to civil aviation as a direct-entry captain, operating mainly from his local base at Norwich.

Following retirement, and in addition to pursuing hobbies in the local area related to trains and boats, he took up the pen. His Endeavour Press historical novels, available on Kindle, are 'Storm at Sunset', a tale of a black episode in the history of a Dakota squadron in the Far East, and 'Upwards', the incredible story of an RAF pilot who, after a heart-lung transplant, flies fighter-bombers again. His non-fiction titles for Grub Street Publishing include 'Jaguar Boys', Tornado Boys' and 'Fast Jets and Other Beasts', the last including many of his own flying-related memoirs. He has also, for Pen & Sword, done 'A Goldstar Century', the history of 31 Squadron RAF.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
111 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jan Vincent
5.0 out of 5 stars A chapter in WWII I had no knowledge of…
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
Excellent book. So sad that these brave and tireless dedicated men that were virtually ignored and forgotten. The lease read if you get the chance.
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Sima F Hecht
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow to start, but emotionally gripping and marvelous
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
It took a while to orient myself to where and what was happening ; but when I finally caught on, I was hooked and mesmerized by the story.
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Meyn
5.0 out of 5 stars Sad it Ended
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
As a fan of historical novels I found this one especially interesting and entertaining. The author is a gifted storyteller, giving the reader enough to get a sense of being there, with a very efficient and effective use of words. His descriptions of people and their thoughts, as well as historical events, rang true. I was sorry it ended so I will be seeking more of his work.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Storm
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
I found this novel to be quite interesting. The author did a good job in describing the conditions in the Far East near and after the end of WWII. Really impressed by his story telling of the individuals ' live during this time period.
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hlhzimm
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone with an interest in WWII
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
Fantastic story. I didn't realize that I was reading a story that was based on actual events, until I finished and read the Author's Note.
One person found this helpful
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B. Capehart
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful historic novel
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2018
We2 novels are generally set in Europe or the Pacific theatre. This one gives a wonderful glimpse of a much overlooked time and place in the immediate aftermath of VJ. In the much overlooked former colonies of indonesia. Told with humanity and vivid story telling. I highly recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Henry Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful and moving story
Reviewed in France on January 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
I started this book with no great expectations. In fact, I was quickly drawn into the story of RAF 31 Squadron based in Java at the end of the war against Japan, in ‘45, performing life saving evacuations of POW’s and desperate civilians still trapped in the jungle. The characters are all well-drawn, the plot keeps you wanting more and the fact that it is based on real people and events makes the book very readable. I am glad I found it and recommend it wholeheartedly.
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Mr. D. Birchall
5.0 out of 5 stars Storm at sunset.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
A great story,historically accurate ,about the immediate aftermath of World War Two in the Far East . I thoroughly enjoyed it.
One person found this helpful
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Tony
5.0 out of 5 stars Based on true stories
Reviewed in Australia on November 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
After reading this book you realize how much the RAF carried on fighting the Japanese and rescuing Pow's after the war in Europe had finished.
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tom meszaros
3.0 out of 5 stars Post-War Drama in Batavia
Reviewed in Australia on September 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
A well researched examination of RAF directed humanitarian operations in the former Dutch East Indies. An articulate and engaging read based on real people and real events.
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Radiomem.
5.0 out of 5 stars True to life at that time.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
An engrossing read from start to finish
One person found this helpful
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