Testimonials
Mission 115 Special Edition Schweinfurt
“Good Morning! I received your book yesterday and it is simply a masterpiece of work, dedication, and perseverance! As you said, there are several entries pertaining to my dad and the crew. I just can’t quit thinking about how much work you put into this and your dedication to the men who flew! Thank you so much!
I cannot express in words how grateful I am for the work you did publishing Mission 115. I have the Black Thursday book, and a book about the POW camp but your book is the crown jewel! I will share it with my brother and sister, and sons. You have helped us understand the conditions and experiences they lived by keeping the world free. One of my favorite life experiences was to obtain a ride in a B17!”
Mission 115 Special Edition Schweinfurt
“Many of you know that I have a great interest in the 8th Air Force in WWII and have helped in the research of the famous 14 Oct 1943 raid on Schweinfurt, where we lost 65 bombers. If you share this historical interest visit Mixam to order your copy. The price quoted is with shipping costs too. It is a great book!!
David’s Memoirs 1947-1972
“I’ve just started leafing through my copy. David has produced an amazing record of all aspects of growing up in Mitcham in the 1950-1970s, touching so many memories. Highly recommended!”
David’s Memoirs 1947-1972
“Hi David. I’ve had a busy week or so (grandchildren 🤦♀️🤦♀️) and didn’t want to start your book until I could sit quietly and comfortably. That happened tonight and I read the first 50 pages….some of them 2 or 3 times because the stories were so profound and beautifully written. Your book is absolutely wonderful!!!!
When my husband and I have read it, my two sons want it too, and then of course I must offer it to my brothers. So sorry my truly beloved sister isn’t here any more because she would have loved it. Be very proud of yourself….it really is a pleasure to read xx”
David’s Memoirs 1947-1972
“Hello David. I am delighted to say that your wonderful book has arrived and I cannot tell you how touched I am by the sympathetic writing in the chapter about Leo’s Cafe. I will, of course, read the rest of the book over the next couple of days – what a wonderful production; I really was not expecting something of this quality and am very grateful indeed that you have sent me a copy.”
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“You won’t believe this but I just received your new book. I didn’t even order it yet. If I received this by mistake I will gladly pay you when I can afford it. I’ve already read the first couple pages and it is very interesting and exciting. You bring such life like storytelling and you really do a lot of research for the topic at hand. If you sent me that book on purpose I truly appreciate it and can’t wait to read through Mission 115.
You know my grandpa was a right wing waist gunner and when you open the book there’s a poem about the wing gunner that really got to me because it completely reminded me of him. He was a genuine man who was loved by everyone who knew him. He worked hard took care of his family and never complained about anything even though my grandma told me that he suffered from severe nightmares of being shot down over occupied France where they smuggled him back to the base where he was stationed.
They flew their first 25 missions then the whole crew opted to go another 25. They made it to their 35 mission until they were shot down. Only my grandfather and one other crewman made it to safety. The rest perished with the aircraft. I don’t even know how I would have reacted if I were in his shoes. He went his whole life without getting any help. He definitely had PTSD but you would never have known it just by talking to him. Thank you so much for the book. I plan on handing these books down to my grandkids when I finally have some. My oldest daughter is engaged and as soon as she gets hitched they plan on starting their family and I’ve patiently been waiting seeings how she is almost 30 years old. Thanks again.”
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“David, I received an unexpected arrival in the post of your book, Mission 115 Schweinfurt. Thanks you for thinking of the 91BG. I know you appreciate the amount of effort Jim Szpajcher put into this.”
President 91BGMA
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“Having returned last night from a week away visiting family, I was quite pleased to find a parcel from the UK containing your new book (“Schweinfurt”). Thank you so much for this much appreciated surprise. I have already begun reading it and find both the documentation and prose most engaging. Best of fortune to you with the book!”
385th Bomb Group Association
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“Thank you so much for sending us a free small copy of your book, it is very kind of you. It will be kept at the museum in our library. I have had a quick read through and the detail you have gone into is amazing. It must have taken you hours! I plan to read it properly at a later date. All our volunteers are able to borrow books from our library so I am sure it will be well read. I wish you luck with your hard copies of the book. Do not hesitate to contact me in the future if there is anything else you think I might be able to help with that is available in our archives.”
385th Bomb Group Association
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“I read your book cover to cover. David tell the critics the book was a ‘tour de force.’ The details were meticulous, well researched… simply brilliant. You are to be commended for a well documented study of the battle of Schweinfurt. It is not a book for the casual reader; but an in-depth study that changed the course of daylight precision bombing in Europe. My respect and complements. Your research is impeccable and complete. The book is fantastic for it scope and sequence. My gratitude for a fine work. You may quote me.”
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“Your book ‘Schweinfurt’ is great and the statistics were amazing Thank you for writing!”
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“I received your book yesterday. Impressed by what I’ve seen just flipping through the pages. Thank you!”
Mission 115 Schweinfurt
“I just received your beautiful book. It is an amazing piece of work. It is so well documented and presented. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness! I will cherish it and pass it to our next generation! My father was at Chelveston from 42-45. I know he would have enjoyed reading this account of that sad day. Lucky for him he wasn’t on one of the planes that didn’t return! Thank you to all the hero’s who served and gave their lives for our freedom! Thank David for caring and the hard work involved with writing this book!”
Harvest Time
“This is a beautiful book with lots of interesting information and photographs. It covers a wide range of subjects and is nostalgic to look back on “Norfolky” artefacts and articles. Farming as it used to be I found particularly interesting as I lived in a very rural area and occasionally helped out on the farm. As usual, David Banks has created another literary masterpiece which intrigues the reader. It is a delight!”
Moorgate
“David, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it’s a great read, especially for someone who commuted to work at London Transport for many years on the Northern Line. Congratulations on producing it and achieving so much for a good cause.”
Moorgate
“Most excellent and interesting book on the truth of what really happened.”
Moorgate
“I have read your book this week from cover to cover and it’s very clear how hard you have worked on it and how well you have researched Moorgate over the years, full credit to you for another great job done.
It saddens me how the blame has been piled onto the driver and his family, the easiest thing to do is for the company to shift blame onto the one person that couldn’t reply or defend themselves. Even if it had been suicide you can’t get away from the fact that the correct signalling speed control was not in place.
I firmly believe that this accident was not intentional but caused by a medical seizure or similar brought on by an underlying historical condition, either from WW2 or the assault he suffered previously. Interesting his military history in the 8th army and the campaigns he took part in were the same as my Grandads, for all we know they may have stood side by side one day in time!
I hope you receive more and more positive feedback for your book.”
Yesterdays Heroes Men of Steel
& Squadron 22
“On December 21st Melanie came to my home and gave me two books she had received from you from England. I read both of then, since then entirely, and they are wonderfully written, both on World War II with Hitler and the Axis. One book was titled “Yesterdays Heroes Men of Steel” which you included everything about me and my life history and action in the Mediterranean Sea conflicts in Squadron 22 MTB on PT 309. Melanie had done much research about me and it sure brought back memories, too. I’ll be 95 years old in January and I am overwhelmed by it.
I understand you heavily support MNDA in many ways, so I am enclosing a small cheque for you to use as you wish. I. too, give donations to at least five different Veteran Groups here in the U.S.A.
I am sure Melanie told you that she communicated with the Nimitz Naval Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas, where they had my PT 309 boat, completely restored back to the time is served on it. The Director called me and told me I was the only one they could locate who served on that boat in World War II. He invited me to come and get the red-carpet treatment by the Docents and go on board and give a talk to everyone there while on the boat. My son and daughter paid all expenses. Nine more family members of all ages went with me on March 6 and 7, 2020, and we all received recognition by the Museum Staff. They even built a small temporary ramp so I could go on board with my wheelchair. There were 15 people on board. Lots of pictures were taken by everyone including Newspaper photographers. While sitting on a 40MM shell box, I gave a 40-minute talk about all the guns, torpedo’s and equipment. I will never forget this experience in the years to come.
Many, many thanks again, David, for your books and your note to me in one of them. God Bless you.”
Yesterdays Heroes Men of Steel
“I just finished ‘Yesterday’s Heroes Men of Steel.’ I was mesmerized by the stories! Well done, David!! I especially liked the story of Melanie’s grandfather! She is fortunate to know the story! My father never told me anything about the war, except he talked about his crew on “Cabin in the Sky.” He met with them every few years until his death. Thank you so much for your work to tell the stories of our fathers. I think this book is one of your best! You are amazing, and I am blessed to have you for a friend.
‘YESTERDAY’S HEROES’ has pushed the monies raised by David John Banks to nearly £1,620, for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. I am delighted to be associated with Mr Banks, by writing exclusive features for him on a variety of topics associated with the Allied air forces in WW2.
David, Yes, the book is very interesting and exciting, there are some things in the book that I didn’t know until now, you never stop learning. It will certainly be another exciting and interesting belly, read it to me when it is finished, I would like to buy one.”
“I’ve just finished reading it and again congratulate you on the work you put into it. What a testimony it is to all ranks of the USAF who served here during the war; I had tears in my eyes on more than one occasion – especially when reading of the pilot who stayed in his doomed plane with the trapped gunner. Any relation of those mentioned must be tremendously grateful for having such a beautiful-produced record to pass down to their descendants.
We’re fine here, both taking great care. Pleased to hear of your progress with your next Norfolk book. Do not work too hard!”
Dew Something Diffrunt
“Dear David, I write this to thank you most wholeheartedly for sending to me a copy of your book “Dew Something Diffrunt” and to introduce myself to you, I am Bob Simmons a friend of Keith and Rosemary Turner with whom I was able to hear about your exploits with your writing and subsequent publishing successes, congratulations.”
“Am going to recommend your books to a friend of mine – Stephen Hutton, who is the author of Squadron of Deception about the US 8th Air Force and 36th Bomb Squadron in which his father Iredell Hutton served, I think he would love your work.”
“Hi David Just wanted to drop you a line to say finally got round to reading the book you sent us and it was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 😊”
“Norfolk Tales for Charity Member David Banks is immobilised by disability, but uses his hands, his heart and his mind to research and write booklets, about Norfolk and about the history of USAAF action in World War 2.
His most recent Norfolk booklets incorporate some dialect material including (with permission) work by FOND members. David uses his books to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (registered charity 294354). Full details about David and his books can be found on his website jdbbooklets.org.uk. FOND wishes him well in his endeavours!”
“I have been reading and looking through your latest book and it is a most attractive production. You have done a great job with the pictures. The illustrations too are beautiful. I read my contribution and Bob’s very carefully and they come out very well. So thanks for that and congratulations on another beautifully-produced publication.
Three books written and donated to the museum by David Banks. The booklet titled “Hands Across the Sea” features stories and photos about our very own George Schatz and the Elwood crew along with other stories and photos. The 398th is also included in “In God We Trust.” There is a story about Donald G Evans, Jr written by his son Donald G Evans, III, as well as ”Merseburg…Dreaded Merseburg.”
The third book, “Lest We Forget” is a wealth of information featuring the 303rd Bomb Group. All of David’s books would be a nice addition to anyone’s library. David is severely disabled with osteoarthritis which affects every bone in his body except his hands. The proceeds from sales of his books go to MNDA, Motor Neurone Disease Association. For more information or how to order his books, email David.
“Yes! I finished it last night! Wonderful book!! You have a great gift of writing as if the reader is actually there! Your sentence structure is superb! Well done, my dear friend!! The teacher in me gives you high marks in content, organization and presentation!!!
“No problem. You write great stories!! The writer is Nancy Brumfiel Spencer.””
“I just received your book. It looks beautiful and I can’t wait to get my eyes on every page. Thanks so much!”
“Hello David, I was nicely surprised to find your 3rd book, “Lest We Forget” in my mailbox yesterday. I am almost finished reading “Dedicated to all. We Salute You.” So happy to be looking forward to, #3. I am really enjoying them, it adds to what little I knew about WW2. I was rather young, so didn’t know too many facts. Thank you.”
“Hello David I have been dipping into and reading your book and am very impressed not only with the amount of fascinating research you have done but also the way the stories are told. Over all, with the pictures and poems, a really excellent publication.
Chapter One, The Beginning, makes a great primer for anyone wanting to learn about the war; and as I am reading through the book I realise that as a boy of seven when it started here was so much I didn’t know about casualties, etc.
You are also providing a wonderful service for the descendants of the wartime personnel with the way you write about them. I can understand why it is so well received by American and Canadian readers particularly. So overall, a first class production for which you can be justly proud.
My wife is also finding it interesting. Both from Wroxham and Little Plumstead we used to watch the B-24s from Rackheath flying so low over our homes on the way to the continent that we could see the cartoons painted on the fuselages. And of course the young American airmen, missing their families, were particularly kind to us children.”
“Hello David, Geoff and I both enjoyed the book you sent us. You certainly have my authorization to use any material you find on our 398th website as before. Hopefully when all of this is over, you can make it down to the museum.”