The Swordfish Story

The most unlikely star of the air defense of England against the Nazis was an obsolete biplane known as the "Stringbag"--a version of the Fairey Swordfish that earned legendary battle honors. Endearing to its pilots for its maneuverability and simplicity, the Stringbag finally gets a well-deserved chronicle. From its design origins and early peacetime service to its rush into war action, this torpedo-spotting reconnaissance aircraft soon became the standard carrier-borne torpedo bomber, and participated in such crucial operations as the Bismarck attack, Taranto, Norway, and the Channel Dash.

The Mystery of Swordfish Reef

One calm October day three men set out from Bermagui harbour in a fishing launch and disappeared into the rippleless Tasman Sea. Then the head of one of them, riddled with bullets, is brought up in a ship's trawl--it belonged to Ericson, formerly one of the Big Five at Scotland Yard. Why had he been shot and thrown overboard? Who had killed him? And where were the launchman and his mate? The bush had never defeated Bony but there were no clues in the sepulchre of the sea.