From Wings Parade to Mandalay

About the Book

In 1940, when young Canadians were rushing off to the recruiting offices, they had no idea what the fates had in store for them. One of these was young Allan Coggon, who elected to join the Air Force and was able to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. This is the story of his adventures, through flying training, a stint as an instructor, and then operational flying in Canada, Europe, and the Far East. His many adventures, near-misses, scrapes with authority, and problems with the abominable weather and living conditions in India and Burma, make fascinating reading. Well-written, graphic, factual, and often humorous, it details every aspect of a pilot's life, from raw recruit to operations against the enemy. A valuable addition to Coggon's story is his fascinating but brief account of the facets in the stirring Burma campaign. A good read!
Sam Shapton, B-25 Pilot, Vancouver, BC.

"I finished reading your book From Wings Parade to Mandalay I enjoyed it very much, it brought back a lot of memories from my own days in the RCAF and later working for the RAF as an AFU instructor in England. I was amazed at your powers of recall, all those military units and various engagements in Burma, you must have kept copious notes. I wouldn't change a thing Al, you are a fine author and I look forward to your next book."
Bob Aberson, San Diego

About the Author

Allan Coggon has spent over forty years in aviation, 38 as an active pilot and as a helicopter ground school instructor. Receiving his Royal Canadian Air Force Wings in November of 1940, he ended six years of military service by completing an Operational Tour with the Royal Air Force against the Japanese forces in South East Asia.

Post-war he moved to Holland where he was employed, with other Canadians, by the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Flying Convair aircrafts to European capitals and as a Navigator and Pilot on DC-4's and Lockheed Constellations on Trans-Ocean, and Inter-Continental routes to the Dutch East and West Indies. He left KLM to return to Canada in 1952 to fly with Hollinger Air Transport, on the mega-project, to build a 360-mile railroad to the interior of Labrador. He then became the personal pilot to Sir James Dunn in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, and thence to Algoma Steel Corporation Ltd, at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. He remained there for the balance of his flying career.

Moving to Toronto in 1984, in 1990 returned to his roots in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. In 1993 he founded the AirCrew Association of Nova Scotia and in 1995 the Silver Dart Chapter of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society in Halifax. Several references are made to Coggon in Milbury's extensive tome: Air Transport in Canada.