Overview

The Cooler King tells the astonishing story of William Ash, an American flier brought up in Depression-hit Texas, who after being shot down in his Spitfire over France in early 1942 spent the rest of the war defying the Nazis by striving to escape from every prisoner of war camp in which he was incarcerated. It is a saga full of incident and high drama, including a breakout via a tunnel dug in the latrines of the Oflag XXIB prison camp in Poland - a great untold episode of the Second World War. Alongside William Ash is a cast of fascinating characters, including Douglas Bader, Roger Bushell, who would go on to lead the Great Escape, and Paddy Barthropp, a dashing Battle of Britain pilot who despite his very different background became Ash's best friend and shared many of his adventures. By weaving together contemporary documents and interviews with Ash's comrades, Patrick Bishop vividly recreates the multiple escape attempts, while also examining the P.O.W. experience and analysing the passion that drove some prisoners to risk death in repeated bids for freedom. The Cooler King is at once uplifting and inspirational, and stands as a testament to the durability of decent values and the invincible spirit of liberty.

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9781782390251

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Bishop's excellent account of Ash's wartime exploits makes fascinating and gripping reading. Sunday Times Bill Ash is a genuine Boy's Own hero of whom you have probably never heard. But because Patrick Bishop writes like a dream, you are unlikely ever to forget him. Literary Review The remarkable story of Flight Lieutenant William Ash is told for the first time in its full historical context... Enthralling Tribune Reads like an adventure story, with tales of extreme bravery and derring-do Military History Monthly

Author Information

Patrick Bishop spent twenty-six years covering numerous wars and conflicts around the world and he has reported from the front line of almost every major war of our era. He is the acclaimed author of Fighter Boys, Bomber Boys, Battle of Britain, 3 Para, Target Tirpitz, Wings and The Reckoning.

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