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Winds of Destruction The autobiography of a Rhodesian combat pilot P.J.H. Petter-Bowyer R295.00 Military History/Aviation November 2005 |
| Winds of Destruction is a unique account of one man’s service in the Rhodesian Air Force, spanning a period of twenty-three years from 1957 to 1980—through the politically turbulent years of Federation; the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (U.D.I.) by Ian Smith’s government in 1965 and thirteen years of relentless, uncompromising bush warfare against the never-ending tide of Robert Mugabe’s and Joshua Nkomo’s ZANLA and ZIPRA guerrillas.
In a gruelling conflict that permitted no quarter, the Rhodesian Air Force (Rh.A.F.) fast became one of the Rhodesian Defence Force’s most lethal and effective counter-insurgency organs. In pre-emptive bombing strikes against enemy camps in Mozambique, Zambia and as far afield as Tanzania; in its integral role as a troop-carrier and airborne strike force in ‘fireforce’ operations; in working closely with such specialist units as the Selous Scouts, the S.A.S., the R.L.I. and the R.A.R. the Rhodesian Air Force was never far from the action and in no small way responsible for the astonishing military successes against a vastly numerically superior army. This all in spite of the international sanctions against Rhodesia, which ordinarily would have brought a nation’s armed forces to its knees. However, forced by circumstances, the Rh.A.F. was obliged to maximise usage of its aging fleet of fighter-bombers, transports and helicopters and to resort to innovative techniques in terms of tactics and weapons systems, many of which were later adopted by the South African Air Force in its own counter-insurgency operations in Angola and Namibia in the ’80s. Peter Petter-Bowyer was born in 1936 in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. As a boy during World War II he’d watch the Royal Air Force training aircraft whirling in the colonial skies above—so was born his craving to fly. In 1957 he joined the Royal Rhodesian Air Force as an officer cadet. He became a senior operational pilot during the bush war and was instrumental in designing and producing a range of unique aeronautical weapons systems. He retired prematurely as a group captain in 1980 with the advent of Mugabe’s rule and now lives in England. Market:
“This is an autobiography that anyone who has flown will appreciate. For ground officers, it is a view from the cockpit by a professional who has much to offer.” – Marine Corps Gazette, 2004 “As one born in Nyasaland Protectorate, schooled in Southern Rhodesia and with a lifelong interest in aviation I found Group Captain Petter-Bowyer’s book, Winds of Destruction, quite fascinating. His personal experiences in the Rhodesian Air Force are described in his inimitable style and give a clear picture of the challenges of those difficult years when the country sought independence and changed out of all recognition into the Zimbabwe we know today. Quite apart from the political developments and the bush war, Peter’s flying stories and his weapon and engineering innovations make compelling reading. Since he came to live in England he has become a good friend and he has recounted many of his tales to me personally. His written words also come alive and as I read them I can virtually hear him relating stories. I have not come across any book similar to this and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in Africa or military aviation.” – Air Marshal Sir John Baird KBE DL MBChB FRCPE FRCSE FFOM FRAeS DavMed FAMS RAF (Retired) Surgeon General UK Defence Medical Services (1997–2000) “Petter-Bowyer is the highest ranking Rhodesian military officer to offer his recollections for publication. It is the best account I have seen on this subject in 25 years of research and is readable from beginning to end.” – Charles D. Melson, Chief Historian, U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps University. |
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