Winds of Destruction

(000228.79-E000157.73NRLOSUC20V)   

The author was born in the highly successful self-governing British colony, Southern Rhodesia. His love of his country and its people is as clear in this book as his disbelief and anger over British and South African policies of political expendiency that forced Rhodesia out of the western camp into one clearly forseen to become a one-party Marxist dictatorship.

Winds of Destruction is the story of the author’s life before and after joining the Royal Rhodesian Air Force. The book centres on the writer’s involvement with air and ground operations in Rhodesia’s thirteen-year war against the communist forces of Marxist Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo who sought to gain power by force.

[I have read this book from end to end. This is unquestionably the best military book ever written about the Rhodesian Air Force. This is not just the story of a pilot. This is the story of a pilot who was an innovator who invented weapons and tried out all sorts of ideas. He spent a lot of time in combat as well. He was high level and extremely clever. His grasp of what went on and his description of the war is unmatched. The small Rhodesian Air Force with a staff of 1,000 Whites was an amazing killing machine. Jan]

Price for Paperback: $43.00

Some Customer Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars An epic historical account
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2014
This is an epic book that will be of great interest to anyone who had any involvement in that conflict, and also to anyone with any interest in military aviation, or someone who just wants a gripping read of a chapter of real life history.

The book comprises numerous anecdotes and descriptions, mostly from the author’s own experiences or knowledge of the events that occurred and the people involved. There is also a great deal of factual detail laid out in a chronological sequence that pulls the reader along through the ever-deepening crises of those times.
Well written in a clear, concise and readable style, often with a twist of humor. The reader is left feeling that PB is someone they know quite well, and who is a remarkable, talented, brave and likable chap at that. As a bonus the book is well illustrated with many personal photos, maps and sketches embedded throughout the text.
This book could not be more highly recommended in my view!

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on Rhodesia I have come across.
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2014
The author is intelligent, knowledgeable, observant and has a life story to tell that few can match.

The author happened to be born in just the right time to rise through the Rhodesian airforce and have his career culminate at the very top of the force just at Rhodesia fell.

The authors experience with the black population of Rhodesia makes for an interesting read. He has lived amongst them, played with them as a child, speaks Shona and maintain social relations with black people throughout his life.

Another strong point is his role in developing armament and tactics for the airforce.

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2013

What an amazing book. Loaded with facts, anecdotes, terror, kindness, amazing long rage ops and all those things that made the Rhodesian Bush War what it was followed by the failiure that has followed. It’s a long read but it really draws you in on the day to day goings on of the Air Force and other Security forces in Rhodesia. I couldn’t wait to get back into this book as soon as I got home from work every day.

4.0 out of 5 stars Rhodesian bush war from the air
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2013
Entertaining reading for war and aviation enthuiasts particularly those interested in the Rhodesian communist-backed terrorist war against Ian Smith’s Rhodesian government. Well written by a senior veteran air force officer relating his experiences in the air over Rhodesia and Mozambique during a war that led to Mugabe coming to power, and the subsequent decline of a once prosperous country into a typical African basket case

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Memoir!
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2014
Well written and very detailed, yet not one of the types of books where the details get in the way of the story. If you have any interest in the history of Rhodesia or methods of counter insurgency tactics, you need to read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant account. Rhodesian Spirit
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020
.integrity. A must read
We who know and lived through this time
have been truly blessed by this account of no matter how evil the world is becoming we know good from evil

5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed. Very informative
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2018
Having lived in Rhodesia between 1966 to 1980 the book was a very accurate portrayal of events and a way of life that all races, in the main, enjoyed. Very informative.

4.0 out of 5 stars Winds of Destruction: The Autobiography of a Rhodesian Combat Pilot
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2011
For those of you who lived through the Rhodesian War in the 60’s and 70’s, this book will be a massive reminder of friends and family, who went out there and daily put their lives on the line to ensure you kept yours.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those who lost friends and family during these days/weeks/years of betrayal – and know with the rising and sinking of the sun we will remember with respect as we stand on our own truth.