First Strike by Richard Taylor features Mosquito FBVIs of 27 Squadron (the Flying Elephants) on a mission over Burma.

Led by Wing Commander J.B. Nicolson VC, CO of 27 Squadron (the Flying Elephants) based in north-east India, a pair of Mosquito FBVIs power their way home across jungle-covered hills of northern Burma. They have just completed the squadron’s first combat operation, a successful strike against Japanese ground targets along the vital railway link near Mandalay, Christmas Day 1943. 

Fought in often atrocious conditions, the war against the Japanese in Burma was cruel, savage and brutal. Flushed with thoughts of invincibility after their quick victories in Malaya and Singapore, by 1943 the Imperial Japanese Army had pushed the Allies all the way back to the borders of India, the jewel in the crown of the British Empire.

First Strike by Richard Taylor has been personally signed by nine RAF aircrew who flew the Mosquito during WWII, creating a fitting tribute to this magnificent aircraft:
Flight Sergeant STANLEY ‘PADDY’ HOPE
Warrant Officer RICHARD ‘DICK’ MAYWOOD
Squadron Leader JOHN BROWN DFC
Flight Lieutenant DENNIS GOSLING
Flying Officer LES HADLEY
Squadron Leader ZBYSEK ‘NICKY’ NECAS Czech War Cross *
Warrant Officer ‘BERT’ WINWOOD
Flight Lieutenant DES CURTIS DFC
Flight Lieutenant ROGER CALVERT.