The golden years of the RAF were, without doubt, the 1930s. It was during this exciting decade that No.218 Squadron was reformed having spent the previous 17 years just a number on a dusty Air Ministry shelf.In March 1936, a new menace was growing in Germany. Adolf Hitler, the new Chancellor, began the slow but inevitable journey to another world war. This time, the Air Ministry was quick to recognise the potential threat and several squadrons were quickly reformed, No.218 being one of them. Initially equipped with the Hawker Hind the squadron spent the next two years flying the sleek though increasingly obsolescent biplane until re-equipping with the new Fairey Battle light bomber in 1938. With a war with Germany looming the squadron had to intensify its training to meet the needs of a daylight bomber squadron. In September 1939, the squadron flew to France, where it languished at first during what become known as the 'Phoney War'. Full of confidence in the ability of its crews and equipment, the squadron waited for the inevitable. Little did they realise that when it came, they would be swept aside despite their heroic and courageous efforts. In May 1940, the squadron was effectively wiped out along with most of the Battle-equipped squadrons of the Advanced Air Striking Force. Returning to England to replace lost crews and aircraft, the squadron found itself flying almost suicidal daylight operations with the Bristol Blenheim with No.2 Group. Operating during the height of the Battle of Britain the squadron attacked various targets crucial to the German invasion of Britain. Then unexpectedly in November 1940 the squadron was transferred to No.3 Group, RAF Bomber Command. Yet again the squadron again set about reequipping, this time with the Vickers Wellington. The squadron's new role was night bombing, a role that it would continue to operate in until VE Day in 1945. In 1942 the squadron was equipped with the Short Stirling and took the bombing war further afield to Italy and Czechoslovakia. This is the story of bravery, courage and above all sacrifice, this book traces the highs and lows of the early years of a front-line bomber squadron, and the men and women who served with it between 1936 and 1942.