Boys of the Clouds tells the fascinating stories, in their own words, of over seventy veterans of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion during the Second World War. The Battalion, part of the British 6th Airborne Division, was among the very first Allied soldiers to land on French soil on June 6, 1944. Despite a widely scattered drop, they managed to take and hold all their objectives on D-Day, and continued to hold off German counter attacks through that fateful summer. After suffering heavy losses in Normandy, the unit returned to England in September 1944 to refit and train for the next airborne operation. This training was interrupted when they were hastily sent to defend against the German offensive in the Ardennes, commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. They were the only Canadian unit to take part in this action. After the threat had passed, and the German offensive halted, they once again returned to England to prepare for the next drop. This finally came on March 24, 1945 when the Allies were able to cross the Rhine in a massive combined airborne and river crossing operation, the largest the world has ever seen. Success came quickly on the drop zone and within three days, they embarked on a hectic journey that would take them from the Rhine River all the way to Wismar on the Baltic Sea by May 2nd, where they linked up with Russian forces. This historic meeting signified the end of the war in Europe. The Battalion then had the honour of being the first Canadian unit to return to Canada as a complete group. They landed in Halifax to a tumultuous welcome and were awarded the key to the city. Follow their arduous and often hilarious journey and discover why they joined up, what the parachute training was like, especially their first jump, what it was like jumping into action for the first time in Normandy, the conditions in the Ardennes, crossing the Rhine and the fateful trek to Wismar to end the war. It's all here, in their own words.

The boys fall in with an inventor and invest in a flying machine. After a number of stirring adventures in the clouds they enter a big race.

In 'The Flying Machine Boys on Duty; Or, The Clue Above the Clouds' by Frank Walton, readers are taken on a thrilling adventure following a group of young boys who embark on a daring mission. The book, written in a fast-paced and engaging style, captures the imagination of readers with its vivid descriptions of flying machines and airborne escapades. Set in a time when aviation was still a novel and adventurous pursuit, the story offers a glimpse into the early days of flight and the bravery of those who took to the skies. The literary context of the book showcases a fascination with technology and exploration that was prevalent in the early 20th century. Frank Walton, the author of this captivating tale, was known for his adventurous spirit and love for aviation. His firsthand experiences with flying machines likely inspired the thrilling escapades depicted in the book. Walton's passion for storytelling and his knowledge of aviation history shine through in the detailed descriptions and exciting plot twists. I highly recommend 'The Flying Machine Boys on Duty; Or, The Clue Above the Clouds' to readers who enjoy adventurous tales set in historical contexts. Walton's masterful storytelling and keen eye for detail make this book a must-read for anyone interested in aviation history or looking for a thrilling and engaging story.

Boys' Life is the official youth magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. Published since 1911, it contains a proven mix of news, nature, sports, history, fiction, science, comics, and Scouting.

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Frank Reade Jr. and His Engine of the Clouds" (Or, Chased Around the World in the Sky) by Luis Senarens. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Boys' Life is the official youth magazine for the Boy Scouts of America. Published since 1911, it contains a proven mix of news, nature, sports, history, fiction, science, comics, and Scouting.