Braver Men Walk Away, Gurney, Peter

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Do you know of any other books about bomb disposal that you think have historic merit?

Kind regards
Lionel

Not a book that I have read but I seem to recall a British book called Fetch Felix, Felix being the call sign for an ATO during the troubles in Northern Ireland.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Not a book that I have read but I seem to recall a British book called Fetch Felix, Felix being the call sign for an ATO during the troubles in Northern Ireland.

The Cold War Collection put its Saracen in Felix markings. No particular known provenance, but a tip of the hat to EOD. That Saracen had been ordered for Libya and not delivered, redirected to Northern Ireland where it received uparmouring. The collection's restorer had to remove most of the plates because of rust buckling and really bad welds. It was operational during the Troubles as evidenced by a few bullet divets near the driver's hatch. The vehicle came to Canada at some point, and was taken on as a project. It is now somewhere in Western Canada with new owners.

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Not a book that I have read but I seem to recall a British book called Fetch Felix, Felix being the call sign for an ATO during the troubles in Northern Ireland.

Hello Dan,

Thank you for the lead, The book is called Fetch Felix: The Fight Against the Ulster Bombers, 1976-1977 by Derrick Patrick (1981). ISBN 9780241103715. The era is linked to a really intense webpage that describes a photograph that shows how the bomb disposal person is already walking in the 'kill radius'. In the foreground of the same photograph it shows a quotation written on the corner of a building that says - Prepare to meet your God. Not the most confidence inspiring thing to read as you walk closer and closer to a bomb! Accessed 14th June 2023 from, https://belfastchildis.com/2017/07/0...ry-behind-them

Kind regards
Lionel

[Chris Suslowicz]

Fetch Felix is well worth reading. (I borrowed it from the local library years ago and this has prompted me to get a copy for myself.)

I think I dipped into the Peter Gurney book, once... various anecdotes (the very large naval shell found in a public toilet cesspit in the Middle East was amusing, there was also one about burning out knocked-out tanks to get rid of unexploded ammunition - the one where the gunner's last act had been to close the breech...). So I've ordered that as well.

Other purchases: Softly tread the brave, and Designed to kill.

A WW2 one I remember being interested in (to the point of remembering the content) is "Unexploded Bomb" by Major A.B.Hartley, but I think I've spent enough for this month!

Chris.