Knights of the Air Bubble Dancing with a Khaki Whacky (Melissa Robbins)


      I have three bookshelves in my library related to writing and WW2 and picking just one book that helped me with my research proved difficult.  You’ll just have to humor me as I share my top four. 

 Women at War:  In Uniform 1939-1945 -  I always consult this information rich book about the different branches English women served during WW2.  I particularly review the chapters on the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service.  Not only is there information and photographs on the historical aspects, but several women include their experiences, all different.  Some humorous.  Some heart breaking. 

The Few:  The American “Knights of the Air” Who Risked Everything to Save Britain in the Summer of 1940 – This book shares the trials of some of the American men who flew for the Royal Air Force before the U.S. got involved in WW2.  These men, who defied U.S. neutrality laws, could have been fined $10,000, arrested by Federal agents, and thrown in prison.  This info led to some great backstory for my main character Wren Buchanan and her brothers and insight into their personalities and what they would do to help England. 

Keeping Watch:  A WAAF in Bomber Command – Just one of the many memoirs I have on people during WW2.  Although my characters belong in Fighter Command, Pip’s experiences lend for some great possible story fodder, like convincing a pilot to let her fly with his crew in a Lancaster bomber (VERY illegal for a WAAF to do).  He made her wear a helmet to hide her curls!  Of course she threw up in the navigator’s handkerchief.  When she returned it all boiled, washed, and ironed, he asked her out on a date.      

FUBAR: Soldier Slang of World War II - As the title reveals, a great book on a language in itself, especially when reading the memoirs.  The book, in dictionary format, lists military slang for the U.S., Britain and her commonwealth countries, Germany, and Japan.  Some so naughty I can't share them on the blog and some quite common these days. I'll leave you with my personal favorites from the book which are SNAFU, army dick, ruptured duck, basher, jankers, khaki-whacky (ahem, Vivian) and bubble dancing.
  

9 comments:

Reese Mobley said...

Your passion for this time period will shine through in each of your chapters. The details you fill your manuscript with will make it a wonderful read for the readers. I can't wait to see it in print!

Pat Davids said...

We are sisters under the skin. I love research and especially personal stories from the era I'm looking into. Great WWII info. Thanks.

Melissa Robbins said...

Thanks, guys. Hopefully, my readers will be as obsessed with pilots as I am. ;0)

Joan Vincent said...

Great books you've shared with us Melissa. I'm hooked on research and have the same kind only related to the Regency instead of WW II. Memoirs and diaries are my favorite books to collect, especially ones written by those who served in the Peninsular War. It does become an obsession, doesn't it!

Melissa Robbins said...

I thought I would share what the slang words mean that I posted.

SNAFU - The polite version is Situation Normal All Fouled Up, but you can imagine which one word would have been changed by a naughty soldier.

army dick - military police, from the word detective (Dick Tracy); I can picture one of my pilots calling Seamus an army dick for more than one reason.

ruptured duck - an honorable discharge emblem and honorable discharge pin worn over the right breast pocket signifying a serviceman had been discharged.

basher - an English word for man like bloke or chap. A rigger basher would work on Connor's Spitfire.

jankers - extra duties usually given as punishment

khaki-whacky - a woman overly enthusiastic for men in uniform

bubble dancing - washing dishes

Rox Delaney said...

Thanks for the slang definitions, Melissa! I do know about FUBAR. ;) The others, not so much. Some stuff today is totally beyond my realm of understand. LOL

Melissa Robbins said...

FUBAR is another one of those naughty ones. Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition!

Rox Delaney said...

'Fouled' isn't the word I've heard used, but let's leave it as is. LOL

Rox Delaney said...

If I let myself, I can get mired in research. I have a fat 3-ring binder of notes for a book that barely has 2 scenes, and I've never figured out where it needs to go. Someday...